...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 2)

[Laker23]

Shot count today:

Liverpool 36 - 6 Man Utd.

 

It's become a chore to watch us in general but when we're playing a top side like this there's now zero expectations. You know the team is going to get pummelled and are left hoping that maybe the manager who used to live for these games can do the impossible, and even then the hope is minuscule. 

 

I don't expect him to go anytime soon as our board are morons and seem content as long as we're having success away from the pitch, so now I just have to watch as he alienates our most creative outlet and just generally destroys the club. I'm incredibly thankful I have many real life distractions, good lord.

[Eutyphro]

Absolutely sh*t Moronho catenaccio bullsh*t. Laughable.

[Guest]

Man United needs to change manager! Usually I don't like to put all the fault on the manager who is always under pressure in these cases, but Mourinho IMO should be sacked at this point. In the Premier League I support Wolves and I honestly find ridiculous that we're just at one point from you, it really hurts me to see such a big club that I used to love when I was a kid down to 6th place. Players are there, they're very good, the squad alone could fight for the title, but if they're fighting for a place in the UEL there are some problems. Mourinho lives only of remembers, Porto helped him to become someone and then the treble at Inter made him enter in the "all time managers leaderboard".

And I'm saying this even if he's keeping alive my wish to see Pogba back to Juve, and today he did a good job on this topic keeping him 90 minutes on the bench in such an important game...

 

Other managers? Maybe Zidane, but would he join a club with some issues? Conte, for example, doesn't want to jump "on a train that has already left the station", and maybe this could be the same idea that other important managers have.

[Jason]

Not even mad, upset, frustrated, or anything. It was expected and that's the most damning thing I can say about it all.

 

Good luck to who ever replaces him, he'll be starting from scratch again with a board who are clueless about football. We need to sort out our recruitment massively.

 

Also, it's a sh*te source but rumours of the Glazers looking to sell the club have cropped up again. If there's any truth to that f*ck me, that's all we need. We'll be in the Championship by the time someone figures out what to do with the club.

[Guest]

Damn, Atletico Madrid in the round of 16... I didn't want to see the "catenaccio" party, 0-0 after the 2nd leg.

Jokes aside, a really tough match for us, but if we want to win it we must beat everyone.

Really curious to see also Man UTD - PSG and Liverpool - Bayern, Roma, Barcelona, Real and City have been quite lucky this time. 

 

In the UEL I don't see a lot of interesting matches, probably only Lazio - Sevilla and Shaktar Donetsk - E. Frankfurt are worth watching.

[Crokey]

I'll take Shalke... I won't underestimate them, but we could have got a lot worse of a draw.

 

But as for the fellow English clubs, I think United and Liverpool have got the sharp end of the stick, Liverpool more so, as I think Munich could be a really tough one for them to get past.  Whereas United are fecked.

[Guest]

Well all depends on how teams will arrive in Febrauary... IMO United have a little chance to pass, PSG has never done great in the UCL. Liverpool has been "lucky" to get Bayern in one of their worst years, like Juve - Atletico I see a 50 50 situacion.

City and Barca will 99.99999999% go through, Real might have some issues against Ajax but nothing too serious. Roma - Porto will probably be the "no one cares" match, for me Roma has a little more experience but in this moment they're struggling in Serie A... More or less like United.

[Tchuck]

Mourinho is living off his past glories, that's all. He took a historically offensive side and turned them ultra defensive and cowardly. It's really appalling seeing this United side play, and remembering the way they used to play until not long ago.

 

Get an up and coming manager to replace him. Someone who goes forward, who goes on the offensive.

[Eutyphro]

Regardless of his increasingly outdated tactic (football is becoming increasingly attacking), it is not impossible for him to still surprise in the Champions League. The sort of aggressive reactive football he employs can surprise against an all out attacking force like PSG.

Ajax - Real Madrid, lol, will be a fun game I think. If we eliminate Real after their triple successive championship it would be legendary. And considering how sh*t Real is this season, and how good we've been, it's actually possible in my view. Glad we didn't draw Juventus or another defensively organized team.

Edit: Mourinho sacked.

Edited December 18, 2018 by Eutyphro

[Laker23]

Well he now won't get the chance to surprise anybody as he has officially been sacked! I appreciate him bringing the Europa League to the club to officially complete the set, and getting us back where we belong into the CL, but this was the right decision and now hopefully we can have a good 6 months to fully evaluate all the potential options and not f*ck it up, hopefully.

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46603018

 

Carrick is in charge for now but somebody else will be appointed in the coming days as caretaker until the end of the season while we search for the next manager.

 

Edited December 18, 2018 by Laker23

[Rykjeklut]

Best Christmas present I could get. Now get in Poch or Zidane before the January window.

[Jason]

He won trophies for us when other much more lauded managers for other clubs have not. He completed the set for us with the EL. Gotta thank him for that.

 

We're going in for a caretaker till the summer which clearly means we're going all in for Poch, I really hope we know what we're doing there cause we're gonna be offering a broken team with Europa League football to a manager with a good team with possibly CL football, and then to make it even more difficult we've got Daniel Levy to deal with.

 

Be interesting who the caretaker is, Blanc seems to be a favourite at the moment for some reason. Carrick and McKenna taking charge of training but they hope to have someone in before the game against Cardiff this weekend. I imagine Carra and McKenna will double team it if they have to manage that game.

[Crokey]

Tis a shame, just when Mourinho was taking United in the right direction... The Championship.

[Bare]

imagine sacking the best manager in the world ffs im so depressed now

Sir Jose deserves much better i hope he goes to an ambitious club with a good squad 

[Guest]

31 minutes ago, Crokey said:

Tis a shame, just when Mourinho was taking United in the right direction... The Championship.

Ahahah, and here near Turin we were quite sure of a "Pogback" in January, especially after Dybala tricked us with a photo with him yesterday... Basically Mourinho was good just for United opponents! 

But when your manager becomes useful only to your rivals there's a big problem and I'm glad they've finally sacked him, even if I'm not going to see Pogba again in a black and white shirt. Unless they want Alex Sandro, maybe we could make a good deal (for us I mean), in the end we've only gained €105M thanks to him.

 

6 minutes ago, Bare said:

imagine sacking the best manager in the world ffs im so depressed now

Sir Jose deserves much better i hope he goes to an ambitious club with a good squad 

Here in Italy there are already rumors about Milan, but honestly I laughed when I read that. Ibrahimovic is very near to a return in "red and black", Mourinho and him don't make a good couple. Add also the fact that joining the direct rivals of a team that made you famous isn't the best thing in the world, I don't know how Inter fans would recat to Jose going to Milan.

IMO he lives just of past glory, ok that he won 3 trophies since he left Inter, but he constantly repeats what he did good in the last decade. Plus I don't like his charcater, I've always preferred calmer managers and sure enough I like Allegri. 

I see Real as a more convincing path, at this point of the year there aren't so many big teams that have to replace their managers.

 

For United Zizou is probably the favourite in this moment, I'm curious to see who'll replace Jose and if this change on the bench will take them to better results.

[Laker23]

36 minutes ago, Bare said:

imagine sacking the best manager in the world

With all due respect to him, he hasn't been the best manager in the world for a while now.

 

According to most reports Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be put in interim charge until the end of the season, pretty happy with that and absolutely love the guy. This season is pretty much a write off, so as long as I can enjoy watching the team play a better style of football I don't mind what happens for the rest of the year.

 

I really, really want Poch over any other candidates for the job, but I know luring him away from Spurs will be ridiculously difficult. I can't even imagine how Levy would be in that situation.

[Eutyphro]

15 hours ago, Laker23 said:

This season is pretty much a write off, so as long as I can enjoy watching the team play a better style of football I don't mind what happens for the rest of the year.

They might still surprise against PSG. I give United less than 20% odds of eliminating PSG, but I don't see it as impossible, especially now that they can finally breathe again having ditched Mourinho and his playing style. United has a good squad and they could be turned around quite quickly. The first thing they need is a better playmaker than Mata, and they can get back on track pretty quickly.

[Eutyphro]

IMO United should start playing like this:

--------------------De-Gea------------------
--------Bailly/Smalling---Lindelöf-------
Dalot-------------Herrera-----------Shaw
---------Lingard---------------Pogba------
Rashford----Lukaku/Sanchez----Martial

An attacking strategy with a young team full of potential, full of underperforming players that could start playing much better under a different tactic. They should definitely buy an extra creative midfielder for the sake of squad depth though. It would be smart for them to make some acquisitions over the winter break.

Edited December 20, 2018 by Eutyphro

[Laker23]

3 hours ago, Eutyphro said:

IMO United should start playing like this:

--------------------De-Gea------------------
--------Bailly/Smalling---Lindelöf-------
Dalot-------------Herrera-----------Shaw
---------Lingard---------------Pogba------
Rashford----Lukaku/Sanchez----Martial

An attacking strategy with a young team full of potential, full of underperforming players that could start playing much better under a different tactic. They should definitely buy an extra creative midfielder for the sake of squad depth though. It would be smart for them to make some acquisitions over the winter break.

I definitely wouldn't be opposed to that line-up. I know Ole favours players who have creativity so I would expect Fred to finally get a lot more playing time, and hopefully Pereira can start to shine, although I'm hearing more and more rumours of a potential move away for him.

 

I also fully expect Ole to play to Pogba's strengths, which is exciting to think about. He's always been very complimentary of him, so I hope I can start to see a different side of Paul, although I'm keeping my expectations low there.

 

Transfers will be tough in this situation. I don't feel there's any use in bringing somebody in that only Ole wants. It could of course potentially improve the team in the short term, but if the new manager has no desire for this player it feels like a huge waste of money and time. If he does get any funds to spend, I don't expect it to be a lot and I expect he won't get 100% of the say in the signing.

 

Looking forward to the weekend, more optimistic than I have been in a while, but I've felt this way about both Mourinho and recent signings we've made and ended up disappointed, so at least I know to keep unrealistic expectations in check this time.

[Jason]

Yea I wouldn't be against that line up either. Matic is a quality player but he often takes far, far too many touches and slows the play right down. I expect we'll only buy in January if it's someone we know will be a player the next manager will want no matter what, like a top CB or a right winger or something. I don't expect anything really, not unless we get a DoF in before the window and he comes in with a must have player.

[Eutyphro]

Kyle Walker is an overrated clumsy donkey. City should play Stones or Danilo as right back because Kyle Walker is sh*t. Walker is City's most consistent weak spot.

Edited December 22, 2018 by Eutyphro

[Laker23]

I find City's defence to be by far the weakest area of their team, I like Laporte and then Mendy for his attacking threat but I could really take or leave the rest of them. A lot of the time because there so dominant with over 70% of the ball it really doesn't come into question all that much, but whenever a team has balls and goes at them they don't look great at the back. I wouldn't say Palace went at them and they certainly rode their luck but City looked well off the pace.

 

In other news, that's the most fun I've had watching my team for god knows how long. The early goal helped but the whole demeanour of the performance was so much better. Great attitude and the fact we were still attacking at 4-1 was a breath of fresh air, I've been so used to sitting on one goal leads in 80% of our games.

 

Pogba was brilliant, dictated everything and got himself a couple of assists. Martial, Lingard and Rashford were linking up really well, too. Not sure what will happen when Sanchez and Rom are back but I really hope both Rash and Martial continue to get significant gametime.

[Eutyphro]

43 minutes ago, Laker23 said:

I find City's defence to be by far the weakest area of their team, I like Laporte and then Mendy for his attacking threat but I could really take or leave the rest of them. A lot of the time because there so dominant with over 70% of the ball it really doesn't come into question all that much, but whenever a team has balls and goes at them they don't look great at the back.

I think City's defence due to the type of aggressive offensive tactic they play has to defend a crazy amount of space. It often makes their defence look weaker than it actually is. Kyle Walker is pretty bad though. And John Stones is not a good dm.

Liverpool have become titel favorites now though.

Edited December 22, 2018 by Eutyphro

[Crokey]

Defense definitely is an issue at the moment.  Walker is a great player, but he's completely knackered and probably won't admit it.  He's pretty much played non-stop since the start of last season, because he went straight into World Cup action, which ran late, then after that finished he came straight back to City early instead of taking time off to relax like everyone else did.  He needs to sit some games out before he burns out.

 

Hopefully Danilo should be back up to full fitness any day now to strengthen that right back slot, and Mendy gets back to fitness for the left.  As whilst Delph has been doing good filling in at left back, when he's getting swapped for Zinchenko... Zinchenko can't defend for toffee, great in his natural midfield, but not at the back.

 

Whilst Pep is trying to get Stones to change his game to try and slip into Ferna's position, I think Ilkay would be better in that position.  I wouldn't worry too much about the centre back slots, as Stones is good in that position, so is Laporte, Otamendi, and Kompany; but after the performance of the young lad Garcia against Leicester during the week, we've got good coverage coming through the ranks.  Seriously, the kids' 17 and he plays like a 24 year old seasoned vet.

 

As for today, I'm just putting that down to one of those weird fluky things that happens in football.

[SeanAlgerian]

I don't see efforts of Walker even when get pushed up in the attack like Marcelo, his shots looks sh*t, his passes look like sh*t, his reaction after failing really look sh*t, I don't knew what the hell thid defender should do, I thought Defense role is for tackling and etc.

 

Just look guys what I see the difference between this guy and Walker:

[Laker23]

9 hours ago, Eutyphro said:

I think City's defence due to the type of aggressive offensive tactic they play has to defend a crazy amount of space. It often makes their defence look weaker than it actually is. Kyle Walker is pretty bad though. And John Stones is not a good dm.

Liverpool have become titel favorites now though.

Agreed. I like Walker going forward but have never been convinced defensively. Seeing him used at centre back in the World Cup at times was the stuff of nightmares. I like Stones generally, he's still prone to lapses in concentration but he's still relatively young, but a DM he is not. I watched the entire game yesterday and he conceded possession under little pressure multiple times. Definitely agree with Crokey than Gundo would be better suited there when Fernandinho is out or rested.

 

I'm happy the title race is close, just wish it wasn't between two teams who are our biggest rivals! I'd honestly prefer City to win the title if I had to choose either way. If Liverpool win it I might have to leave the internet until the start of the following season.

[Crokey]

When City won it in 2012,. it was a case f*cking finally, and we were too busy lying down cause we were knackered after all the nervous exhaustion to go on about it.  But you see if Liverpool win it... God it'll be a whole season of whining Scousers going "See I told ya it was gonna be our year, la"

[Jason]

Ole's gonna win the CL this season and the treble next season just you all watch. 

 

Nah but for real, that was the most I've enjoyed watched United since Fergie. I know, I know, it was only Cardiff, but we've played sh*tter teams than Cardiff in the past 5 years and not once have we scored five goals. THAT is why United fans enjoyed it and are excited to see what the team can do in the second half of the season.

 

Fullbacks pushed right up, great movement, tons of workrate, high tempo passing, wingers running at their fullbacks and most importantly, not trying to sit on 1 or 2 nil leads, we never stopped wanting more goals. None of that is remotely extraordinary either, it's standard stuff for top teams but not once have we had it in the past 3 or 4 years. Ole and Mike Phelan have brought the United way back into the club and hopefully this will restore some confidence and swagger back into the team for next season. Excited to watch some United games for once.

[Tchuck]

Man, I gotta say, it's very exciting to watch Liverpool play. Always on the offensive, making some brilliant passing, really well-rounded team. Shaqiri was the perfect replacement for Coutinho. (they even look alike!)

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Tchuck said:

Man, I gotta say, it's very exciting to watch Liverpool play. Always on the offensive, making some brilliant passing, really well-rounded team. Shaqiri was the perfect replacement for Coutinho. (they even look alike!)

Yep, you're right! Only 7 goals and 6 points conceded in 19 matches is an astonishing result, especially in a championship like the PL. This might be the right year for Liverpool, with a 6 point margin over Tottenham they could lose 2 matches and still be first thanks to that 1-2 at Wembley. A bit surprised to see Man City struggling against Leicester and Crystal Palace, but I guess these are just incidents that could happen to everyone. Surprised in a positive way to see Man UTD finally have some deserved wins, yes against Cardiff and Huddersfield, but it's still a thing!

Another good surprise might be Fulham, we all know that Ranieri is able to do miracles... Well Fulham doesn't need a miracle for remaining in the PL, but it will surely be quite a challenge to stay away from the Championship. Good job Claudio, but did you really have to stop my Wolves in the 7th place race? Ok, you've helped your Leicester, but wolves are more dangerous than foxes 

 

I'd also like to talk a little bit of Inter-Napoli. What happened yesterday is embarassing not just for our football but for our nation in general. I'm not just talking about the "buuu" that Koulibaly received for 80 minutes (which still remains a bad episode that is sadly common in many stadiums around Europe), but I also don't understand why we still have an "internal racism" between northern Italians and sothern Italians... Italy exists since 1861, more than 150 years have passed and do we really have to hate each other for our great grandfathers' businesses?