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

[Lonely-Martin]

Did alright first half to give 'em a game. Came out second half thinking job was done. Promptly got our pants pulled down for it. As expected, ahh well. Our season won't be defined by that so we move on. *shrufs*

Edited September 19, 2021 by Lonely-Martin
Stupid autospell.

[Girish]

1 minute ago, Lonely-Martin said:

Did alright first half to give 'em a game. Came out second half thinking job was done. Promptly got our pants pulled down for it. As expected, ahh well. Our season won't be defined by that so we move on. *shrufs*

I haven't seen the other Spurs games but what was Kane doing out wide? No way he's scoring goals from there. It seemed that Nuno banked a lot on Son out-running Thiago but Thiago's experience came in handy there.

 

Massive 2nd half performance though by us. Bringing on Kante changed the momentum of the game completely. We should have scored more but I'll take the 3 points and the position at the top of the table.

[TheSantader25]

Tuchel is such a good coach man. He has improved every single player in this Chelsea side. Even players who looked dead months ago are performing at the top level. 

 

I think he figured out that Nuno has prepared for his typical formation and brought in Kante to completely f*ck up with their plans. Nuno got caught off guard.

[Lonely-Martin]

9 minutes ago, Girish said:

I haven't seen the other Spurs games but what was Kane doing out wide? No way he's scoring goals from there. It seemed that Nuno banked a lot on Son out-running Thiago but Thiago's experience came in handy there.

 

Kane always drops deep or steps out a bit and basically plays midfield/playmaker to bring Sonny into things and we're usually hoping the likes of Maura or Bergwijn too (but they got took out by Rennes last week). Though I agree, a predator like Kane needs service up top. Worked well dropping deeper and playing playmaker last year of course but just isn't clicking at the mo, plus we've been figured out a bit or injuries play a part (no Son like last week hurt us for sure). When it works we look good but when it doesn't we look completely lost and out of ideas.

 

Pretty obvious Kane is still melting over City not coming back in for him and just going through the motions until Janurary, or more likely, next summer to get out. The man has nothing in him to play for us really, a shadow of the Kane we know. A shame but what can us fans do, lol. The club is Levy's playtoy after all.

 

Personally I'm with the club on it though. Kane's a game changer and for a team like City, guarantees goals. If they wouldn't match his value, tough sh*t and get over it. Sulky modern footballers. Wouldn't object dropping him and anyone else that wants to be a part timer at best and be forced to find a new way to play. Was hoping Jose would rid us of this attitude that's been a Spurs trait for so long, but even he couldn't beat it and just pissed people off so much it added to the disharmony. All just poisonous really.

 

We need a radical overhaul. Currently only Sonny, Maura and Hojbjerg (and some of the kids) are who I'd keep, maybe Alli and Bergwijn and the new lad Gil, even Royal looks like another dud. Defensively, we're absolutely f*cked with Dier and Sanchez first choice. Maybe Romero could prove decent, Rodon potentially, but he'll be lucky to get games with us favouring the proven dead wood. Trouble is, we can't sell the sh*te and alot of it cost a fortune.

 

Nuno has it all against him there and it's a shame to watch. Just gonna have to ride out the storm and see, but I've no expectations/hopes aside not get relegated really. Dark times.

 

Sorry, lol. Could go on forever. The Poch era is a distant memory.

[Girish]

1 hour ago, Lonely-Martin said:

The Poch era is a distant memory.

There's hope for you though... he might get sacked after failing to win the CL with PSG and might wanna come back!

 

1 hour ago, Lonely-Martin said:

Pretty obvious Kane is still melting over City not coming back in for him and just going through the motions until Janurary, or more likely, next summer to get out. The man has nothing in him to play for us really, a shadow of the Kane we know. A shame but what can us fans do, lol. The club is Levy's playtoy after all.

Would Levy actually let him go for a lesser price even if he's not performing upto his usual standards? If not City, then who would want to pay the insane amount for an aging Kane? Especially, when Haaland will be available in a few months for half the price.

I know Pep wants Kane but even City have to consider their options. Even without a recognized striker, City aren't struggling for goals right now. If they still do go for Kane in January, then it would be baffling. At this point, if I'm Kane, I'd just accept that I will have to see out my contract at Spurs and then leave as a free agent. His brother really f*cked him over with that contract.

[Lonely-Martin]

58 minutes ago, Girish said:

There's hope for you though... he might get sacked after failing to win the CL with PSG and might wanna come back!

 

I do kinda hope PSG don't win it. I love Poch and would like him to win and succeed but I can't stand both the club or Neymar, lol. Dunno what it is, just something don't sit right about that fella.

 

1 hour ago, Girish said:

Would Levy actually let him go for a lesser price even if he's not performing upto his usual standards? If not City, then who would want to pay the insane amount for an aging Kane? Especially, when Haaland will be available in a few months for half the price.

I know Pep wants Kane but even City have to consider their options. Even without a recognized striker, City aren't struggling for goals right now. If they still do go for Kane in January, then it would be baffling. At this point, if I'm Kane, I'd just accept that I will have to see out my contract at Spurs and then leave as a free agent. His brother really f*cked him over with that contract.

 

I feel it would send a strong message if Levy wins the tug of war within. As much as I love Kane, an unhappy player hurts morale too. So lord knows what's best really as it can only really hurt the club. Players are more immune but the way the modern footballer can down tools halfway through a contract irks me.

 

I totally agree regarding Haaland soon likely to be available and he'd probably be all the big teams first choice next summer. I think Kane to Man Utd could be a good bet though. United do well with older players these days and are willing to pay great money for older proven players too, I'm sure they could get years out of him if they did.

 

The last part though, from what I've read/heard, Kane's brother was nothing to do with that contract. Though it is hard to know what to believe, but it does seem Kane signed simply out of love of the club during a spell where we were showing good promise. Probably why he's kicking himself, it's all on him really and he knows it.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if Kane and Levy have really fallen out hard and Levy is playing hardball out of spite, and I wouldn't rule out Levy playing more mindgames with the lad too and further compromise Kane's future. But I definitely don't blame Levy for holding out for mega money as Kane has showed he's so reliable as a goalscorer, and City were looking to get him on the cheap with their bid in the summer (75m up front, not near what most value Kane at). Kane must know we value him at more, be a fool otherwise TBH. City spent well on Grielish so couldn't with FFP looming, and United spent huge elsewhere so weren't in, Chelsea was never gonna happen I believe as the 2 clubs just don't do business in general, plus you got Lukaku for less than what Kane was said to be valued at, but I don't think Kane wants to be labelled a 'Sol Campbell' from all of this either. 

 

I hope Harry finds his smile and wants to stay at Spurs and smash those records we know he could. But it must piss him off knowing Grielish is getting his dreams come true (financially and trophy-wise) knowing it could be him when they meet at the England camps. But yeah, 29 next summer, not got a decade in him like Grielish or Haaland did/does for similar money.

 

But alas, our problems go further than Kane of course. The defence, the Ndombele conundrum, management, the stadium is another thing to keep in mind too naturally. Messy times.

[TheSantader25]

I honestly don't rate Poch that very much. He did lift Spurs up  but he really isn't the manager that takes you to the next level. His style of play is really not appealing to watch and doesn't even get the job done at times anyway. I doubt he's gonna last at PSG this season. Certainly seems to have failed to get the best out of Messi so far.

Edited September 20, 2021 by TheSantader25

[TheSantader25]

There we go again. It's sacking time again as it appears. I'm honestly tired of taking gambles. Either bring Conte or there is no need for sacking Koeman. I do not accept sacking Koeman for anyone other than Conte. We need someone world class or don't bother.

 

Sure his style of play is not Barca but what the f*ck is our style anymore anyway. We haven't played the Barca way for years. We crossed 56 times tonight and had Pique and Luuk De Jong as strikers LMAO. Might as well bring someone to sort this team out. Sort the teamwork and defense first.

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by TheSantader25

[Jason]

I'd say Poch is a good all rounder, a jack of all trades master of none. He's tactically solid, able to win games through tweaks or changes, and he seems to be a good man manager but he's not great at either and you could argue that tactically he got left behind by the likes of Klopp and Pep in the league. His teams don't really have a modern identity and his formations and tactics change too often for me. I don't think he's the man to win PSG the CL... I think they sacked the manager that would have done that for them.

 

As for Barca, yea, rough. I don't think Koeman is a great coach but I don't see how sacking him will improve things honestly, that Barca squad is absolutely terrible. It's insane just how quickly it went to sh*t, Messi painted over the cracks a lot. I think the only manager available that might be able to steady the ship would be Conte but Barca fans would have to accept his style of play and the Barca board would have to back him which is unlikely and he'll walk if he's not backed.

[Eutyphro]

Koeman is a good coach. Barca is just a sh*t team.

[TheSantader25]

5 hours ago, Eutyphro said:

Koeman is a good coach. Barca is just a sh*t team.

Still should beat Granada at home though.

Edited September 22, 2021 by TheSantader25

[Eutyphro]

12 hours ago, TheSantader25 said:

Still should beat Granada at home though.

Mediocre teams in a build up fase struggle against teams like Granada sometimes. Only top teams consistently beat midtable teams like that. Your expectations are wrong. Messi, Griezmann, Suarez, all these players left, and you need time to build something new. How are you going to appoint some 'top' manager with no budget to get new top players? Top managers go to teams like Chelsea who can throw around over 200m every summer, and don't have all their top players leave cause they are broke. Koeman is really the right coach to work with that squad, and most coaches I expect would do worse.

Edited September 22, 2021 by Eutyphro

[TheSantader25]

14 minutes ago, Eutyphro said:

Mediocre teams in a build up fase struggle against teams like Granada sometimes. Only top teams consistently beat midtable teams like that. Your expectations are wrong. Messi, Griezmann, Suarez, all these players left, and you need time to build something new. How are you going to appoint some 'top' manager with no budget to get new top players? Top managers go to teams like Chelsea who can throw around over 200m every summer, and don't have all their top players leave cause they are broke. Koeman is really the right coach to work with that squad, and most coaches I expect would do worse.

Barca fans have no expectations this season. We know what we are. We don't want La liga. We don't want the Champions League. We all know it's not possible. What we want to see is progress and development and we're not seeing it. Not having a single shot on goal against Bayern, Not having any tactics other than crossing against Granada, Disorganized defense, etc are not good examples of progress. There's nothing positive about the team that makes us hopeful that we're "on the right track" despite what Koeman says. We're not. We're getting worse and worse.

 

I do sympathize with Koeman and I think it's still too soon to judge him this season and sack him. So many injuries. But I think the criticism on the tactics so far has been fair to some extent. Koeman is not the greatest tactically. I still think he should be given until the next international break and see if there's any sign of "improvement".

 

But we cannot sack him and bring in another ex Everton manager (Martinez) who's even worse than Koeman in my opinion but I'm looking at our fixtures(3 games with minimal rest + benfica, Valencia, Atleti and Madrid) and I'm thinking Koeman's sacking is indeed imminent.

 

On top of that his stubbornness continues. Never takes responsibility for the shortcomings and recently is throwing the players under the bus Jose style. Non of this helps a club that is in a transition season.  He had a very good thing going in the National Team. Maybe it will be best for both parties. I think the dutch would definitely want him back there instead of De Boer.

 

As for top coaches, what they want is a project. The only top manager available at the moment is Conte who accepted to coach a sinking Inter side and brought them back to glory. But hiring him has a lot of ifs and buts indeed. We're really in a pit here.

 

Again, I have a lot of respect for Koeman and I think he definitely has paved the way for a future Barca in some areas. But it's not working out at the moment unfortunately and the progress has stagnated horribly and the situation has become toxic for both sides. I would like to give him more time though. As I think it's still unfair to sack him this early when there are no better options.

[Eutyphro]

Mate, you're like one month into the season and your best player and second best players (Messi, Griezzman) just left because the club is a financial dump. How are you expecting to see progress after your best players leaving? How much patience do you have after giving up only several games in? It's ridiculous man. "there's no progress" mate, you've seen like 5 games.

  

1 hour ago, TheSantader25 said:

He had a very good thing going in the National Team. Maybe it will be best for both parties. I think the dutch would definitely want him back there instead of De Boer.

Van Gaal

Edited September 22, 2021 by Eutyphro

[TheSantader25]

5 minutes ago, Eutyphro said:

 

Van Gaal

sh*t I forgot. So many goddamn changes that I lost track.

 

That's why I'm saying he should still be given more time. But he should be more accepting of criticism. Because the signs are there. Things aren't good and are getting worse. I don't know if you watch every Barca game or not but I do. And it's not looking good this season at all.

 

So I guess we'll see what happens. I want to see at least a f*cking team out there. Because the only reason Granada can cause trouble for us two times in a row at Camp Nou over two seasons is that despite having players that value less, they play as a team. That's the manager's job to do. Barca is still not a team.

[Eutyphro]

I'm not sure about getting Luuk de Jong. Luuk de Jong doesn't belong at Barca at all, clearly. There's some good players in that Barca squad, but I just don't think it's legit to sacrifice the coach so soon after Messi is gone and he has to rebuild. Griezmann was literally the player they could've built on, but he went too. They're a little f*cked in the short term, and there's no getting around it. I think if he makes top 3 in La Liga and doesn't embarrass himself too much elsewhere he would be doing well. There's been some sh*t football, but also some half decent football with Memphis and Frenkie. There's no getting round it that if they don't improve at all, he would deserve the sack, but I think he should get more time and support. But what is sad is the media trying to destroy him, and I think that will break him. Because honestly Koeman is a far better coach to play with young players like Pedri, Araujo, Eric Garcia etc, than an Italian coach. Conte with that squad would be worse, I'm sure.

Edited September 22, 2021 by Eutyphro

[Eutyphro]

That FC Barcelona line up against Cadiz is the worst Barca team I have ever seen.

[TheSantader25]

Yeah I bet Frenkie would have been sent off in 5 minutes like that if he was a Madrid player. You'd think now that we're sh*t at least the refs start treating us like the rest of the league but no. Still gotta f*ck Barca.

[Jason]

Sacking Koeman seems inevitable but I do agree it'll fix nothing. The squad just got ripped apart in the summer and is starting from scratch, any manager will need time to figure out how they're going to play and what the best eleven is.

 

I don't think he'll be in the job by the end of the week though, it'll be interesting to see who they will replace him with cause there's very very few top managers available (Conte?) and I can genuinely see managers turning the job down due to how poor the entire Barca team and setup is right now. It's a gigantic task to turn them around, a good 4-5 year job with the right backing.

[Halal Cyborg]

Any squad that includes Ter Stegen, Dest, Pique, Busquets, Puig, Depay, Pedri, Dembele, Fati, Coutinho, Aguero & Umtiti & I’m sure more players I have forgotten is still a very good squad…they’re still in the top 3 in La Liga in that aspect with only Sevilla in contention having improved their squad with Erik Lamela lol

As a Palace fan maybe I’m just realistic and aware of what other teams have.

 

Barca should be finishing 3rd with that squad which is I believe where they finished last year  

[TheSantader25]

I still think the team plays worse than they are. They are underperforming. I think a lot of these players are not showing their full potential under Koeman. Remember that managers can make so much difference. Everyone thought Rudiger was utter sh*te before Tuchel came. Now he's one of the best CBs in the world IMO. Not that I'm saying our squad is even close to Chelsea. But I still think we are underperforming massively. Some of these players have never played under a top coach in their Barca career despite being better in their previous teams. It's natural that people think they are just sh*t. They've never seen them under a top coach.

 

Another problem at the moment is that we try to play too much with the ball. 70 percent possession against teams that park the bus doesn't work anymore. You sometimes have to give them the ball so they leave more open spaces in some occasions. Koeman wants to have the ball all the time. I think 55-60 percent possession is a better way to generate more chances. Even Pep sometimes lets go of the possession because of this these days.

 

These are issues that Koeman needs to address. I still give him until the next international break in the least. And Pleeeeease don't sack him to bring Martinez. He couldn't do sh*t with Belgium. What's he gonna do with this Barca side?

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by TheSantader25

[Eutyphro]

That Frenkie red card is one of the silliest reds I have ever seen. You get yellow for accidentally hitting someone with your arm and that guy pretending he's murdered by it when it's nothing, then slightly mistiming a tackle, hitting someone, two yellows, red, utterly f*cking ridiculous. It's not as if Barca are lucky are they? Supposedly the ref is from Madrid, so that explains. Anyway, with Pedri supposedly still injured (?) and Frenkie suspended Barca is f*cked.

 

I've been saying this for a while, but for me Busquets is Barca's biggest problem, because though prime Busquets is the benchmark for holding DM's, these days he's a massive snail, and he also doesn't complement Frenkie well. I think Sergi Roberto complements Frenkie way better than Busquets, and Frenkie could get a much more central role that better fits him. The squad should be built around Frenkie, as he is their best player by far.

Edited September 24, 2021 by Eutyphro

[TheSantader25]

39 minutes ago, Eutyphro said:

 

I've been saying this for a while, but for me Busquets is Barca's biggest problem, because though prime Busquets is the benchmark for holding DM's, these days he's a massive snail, and he also doesn't complement Frenkie well. I think Sergi Roberto complements Frenkie way better than Busquets, and Frenkie could get a much more central role that better fits him. The squad should be built around Frenkie, as he is their best player by far.

I agree. It's time for Busquets to be slowly benched I'm afraid and send Frenkie to the DM position. However for that to happen we need another proper CM to play alongside Pedri. Kessie is a free agent by the end of this season. He could be a good option. Or we could keep playing 17 year old Gavi or 19 year old Nico to see what happens. Roberto could be good at times but I don't think he's good enough to be a starter in long term.

 

[Girish]

Thoroughly deserved loss against a City side that were far superior for the entire 90 mins. The only saving grace being Utd losing to Villa. 

 

Tuchel 3 - 1 Pep

[Jason]

Only caught the first half but it's so bloody obvious how badly we need a new midfielder, or two. Fred and McT work hard and have a place in the squad but both are no where near good enough on the ball to help us control games and break teams down.

 

Ole absolutely has to try VDB in that role and when I say try I mean give him an actual run of games and let him find form and fitness and not give him a go and then sub him at half time cause we're not 5-0 up. Donny might not be the answer long term but f*ck, he can't be worse.

[Lonely-Martin]

Probably would have gotten mega odds on a Van Dyk lead Liverpool defence conceding 3 and Fernandes missing a spot kick on the same day, lol.

 

I just want Ole to stop blaming results elsewhere and simply accept he was beaten at times. Really getting old how he won't accept his team just got beat. So the Villa players got into Fernandes head there, it's nothing United don't do, any team for that matter. He's such a Fergie with his view on gamesmanship where it's ok for him but not others to do. Cheeky sod.

 

Why aren't United playing Sancho? Is he injured? Same should be said about Donny too, they both cost a pretty penny and certainly regarding Sancho, he wasn't bought as back up to keep the bench warm. These guys need a run to really settle and bring out their best. 

 

Quite impressive how City completely owned Chelsea though, Chelsea looked really poor there, the result flattered them really. Hopefully more teams learn how to play them going forward. Funny how it goes though, Chelsea did the same to us last week but we beat City. That's why the premier league is so widely watched. 

 

Fair play to Brentford though, beat Arsenal and gave Liverpool a real game, and us some cracking entertainment yesterday too. I hope they continue to do well as that's the sort of thing we want in our league.

[Eutyphro]

When they have Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Tierney, etc.. then Arsenal can actually be a pretty good team. They've suffered so much from mediocre players and injuries, but when all those play they actually play pretty decent football.

 

  

17 hours ago, Jason said:

Only caught the first half but it's so bloody obvious how badly we need a new midfielder, or two. Fred and McT work hard and have a place in the squad but both are no where near good enough on the ball to help us control games and break teams down.

 

Ole absolutely has to try VDB in that role and when I say try I mean give him an actual run of games and let him find form and fitness and not give him a go and then sub him at half time cause we're not 5-0 up. Donny might not be the answer long term but f*ck, he can't be worse.

And also like I've been saying for ages, Pogba is lost in that team, as he's not a left winger, and sucks as a holding mid. If they could swap him for Brozovic, or someone like that, that would be a great deal. I'm sure Pogba is actually much more valuable than someone like Brozovic, but in that system he's not useful.

Edited September 26, 2021 by Eutyphro

[TheSantader25]

Finally Ansu's back. Comes in after 11 months and scores a goal. Can't get better than this. 

 

Yeah seems like Nuno's not gonna last that long.

Edited September 26, 2021 by TheSantader25

[Halal Cyborg]

I think Roy Keane is going to run out of words to slag your team off with @Lonely-Martin

[Lonely-Martin]

Yep, sh*te! 

 

Luckily I already knew we'd get f*cked. How we played that first half is about the worst I've seen us start a game. I'm all for giving Nuno time, and it all can't be blamed on a sulking Kane. Something's gotta give. If this is Nuno's way, it'll be one long season.

 

Did a bit better 2nd, how could we not, lol. Ramsdale made a class save from a deflected Maura shot, and could have had a penalty, but no excusing that first half.

 

Ahh well.