Ronnie Whelan

1 hour ago, Vincent Vega said:

The one thing I really want to see from the end of this season is Arsenal failing to win the league on the final day. They might have been disappointed last season, but they don’t know the disappointment of losing the league to those Abu Dhabi cheats on the final day. I will enjoy the schadenfreude of that. 
 

Oh yeah there is another I’d like to see, and that’s that our fans and the club give Klopp the send off he thoroughly deserves against Wolves.

I feel like a hypocrite but I agree. I always liked Arsenal as a big club rival and their fans were decent back in the old days, but Arteta is an absolute prick (very talented one to be fair) and action won't be taken until the other big clubs have suffered. At some point, when they are winning their sixth or seventh title in a row, then action might be taken.

Of course, we papered over the issue by twice giving them an amazing title race and I guess the baton has now fallen to Arsenal. 

Salah is finished as an elite player. However, I wouldn't question his attitude. I think he still cares. I just don't think he has it anymore - we rightly judge him on what he was. 

Diaz is a good player, who can be very good in a lot of games. In a functioning attack, he is a real handful because he creates space for others. I don't love him but I do like him. He isn't the problem.

Nunez is the kind of player that you might get at West Ham, Wolves or Fulham, who you see regularly on Match of the Day. He looks shit hot in passing and you think oh he would be great here. Ironically, he'd probably get the same amoumt of goals at those clubs. Bottom line and I quite like him is that he ain't good enough to be at a club where the expectation and pressure is that we challenge for every trophy. He (and Mo) have cost us in the title race in the last few weeks. If we only just had a fit Jota but that's another issue.

I'd love Kane here. I think he is nearly the ideal player for us, but very unlikely. I'd go all out for Watkins for that reason. 

I think a few of the young lads should start the remaining games. We aren't winning the league, so what harm.

Bradley and Quansah have been a gigantic success this season. If Danns and Clarke come in for the last few games and do well, then it gives a lot more hope for next season - yes Jurgen is going but we need to find a way to move on and talented kids always help. Both look very good to be fair and we have nothing to lose.

1 minute ago, Torvald Utne said:

Diaz was fine

Sorry he was good to be fair.

2 minutes ago, Josef Svejk said:

 

Did he play well? 

2 minutes ago, TheHowieLama said:

 

I think even he was a bit less than his best today man

He made some good saves. With a defence like that in front of him, it's hard to be critical.

Virgil shouldn't be getting off lightly tonight. Very mediocre. Konate was shite and as for Robbo and Trent.

I hope Jurgen plays a few of the kids for the remainder of the season. His parting gift might be getting them ready for next season.

Terrible performance.

I can't think of one player that played well - Ali aside.

1 minute ago, etho said:

Salah for Gakpo 

He's in a taxi. His other boss gave him the green light to save our season.

17 minutes ago, Jairzinho said:

 

Yeah, the truth is I don't think we'll win all five games, I think City probably will, and Arsenal won't but it'll be irrelevant to us.

 

It's been an odd season to get us to this position. At the start of the year very few expected we'd challenge at all. Then we did but with an unsustainable amount of late goals which probably flattered our overall ability. Injuries and abysmal refereeing have gone against us far more than our rivals. Yet now the feeling, having got ourselves into such a good position, is one of disappointment having pissed it away with atrocious displays against United and Palace. 

 

Had we started the season in poor form, and then massively improved results wise towards the end of the season to narrowly miss out on the title (basically reversing our season) the emotion would be completely different. Understandably so I guess, but it does also show the last thing is basically the thing we remember. 

My only hope with Villa is if they are in the final of the Conference League, they might rest players. I just don't see us winning there. Even when we were playing well, I was very nervous about it. Watkins is a lovely player, but they have numerous players I really like and Emery is a very good manager. 

Still, I don't think it's quite done yet. If we do win our five games, I'd give us a 30% percent chance, because if say City draw a game, it's then goal difference between us and them and I think Arsenal will draw with Spurs. That's why we do need to keep an eye on goal difference, because while Arsenal are out of sight, not beyond the realms of possibility that it does come down to it with City.

Would be nice if we were the ones getting a moment go our way in a title race for a change like Brighton taking points off City or the Mancs doing Arsenal (yeah I know I know).

3 minutes ago, Jairzinho said:

 

We're 5/1. Arsenal 9/4. City 8/11. I think I'd have us a bit wider than fives but it isn't a mile off. 

 

We're basically hoping Tottenham have two really good games, and one shit one against us.

Villa is the dodgy one for me.

I think if we win the five games we have a huge chance because I think Spurs will take points of one, but possibly both Arsenal and City.

9 minutes ago, Mil-ing Around said:

 

You'd play Nunez?

 

I was more thinking play mo up there or even try Mac Allister as a false 9. Something/anything that doesn't involve Nunez in the starting 11. 

 

We beat Everton if we play good football and pass the ball at the right times. We can cut them open. What we don't need is chaos, that's exactly what Everton would want.

I'm guessing he'll play rather than me madly wanting him to play.

The last few weeks have shown he doesn't have it in him to play at an elite club chasing the biggest trophies. Before it, you could see moments of brilliance and plenty of raw ability. I had a soft spot for him and was thinking he might just make it as a top player because he seems likeable and is entertaining. He doesn't - his level is "very good" player at West Ham who you see in moments in games or match of the day and you think oh yeah that fella is handy. It's different being at a club where every game may decide winning a title which by and large is where he have been at over the past few years. 

Having said that, I do think he has it in him to smash in a load of goals in a purple patch, so hopefully that's in the next five games. Even though he looks full of confidence, I actually think he's a real confidence player and despite his presentation, he's lacking it. 

Mo is the polar opposite regarding confidence. I never get the sense with Mo, he's lacking it. I actually just think he's looking past it as an elite player. Having said that, I wouldn't bet against him making a difference in the coming weeks.

Anyhow, whoever it is, really has to step up with Diogo out for a few games.

Gutted to be honest.

He's a world class player and he is pretty much guaranteed goals when he plays.

Mo really needs to step up. I'm just hoping Nunez gets a goal and gets his confidence up - he's one of those that could go on a little run of being unplayable and it would be a good time for him to hit a purple patch.

I wouldn't be selling Diogo personally. Possibly could have been rushed back here - if he was I understand why.

I'm very worried about Villa. Very good side and as has been said Watkins is one of the best players in the league. Hopefully, they are in a European final and have their eyes on other things. Spurs are a funny one - they can be top class or shite. They could take points off all three of us. West Ham are playing very bad, but the timing is horrible. I think we'll beat the blueshite but it will be a battle. 

City have nasty games. I don't expect them to drop more than 2 points but you never know.

I have Arsenal dropping 2-3 points, but you never know we might get a surprise and they lose more.

It was nice to look more like a decent side yesterday. Not perfect, but a good win against a pretty good side away from home.

Not perfect but nice that we look like a proper team again.

I thought Gakpo was good and Diogo was Diogo.

If we win all of our remaining games, we have a decent chance. 

If we win there, it will give us a boost which might stand to us.

If we overcome the three goal deficit, it means most likely that we have solved a huge amount of the issues that have impacted us recently - shite defending and shite finishing.

You know what, I have this feeling, we could suddenly start playing well and that just shows how frail our players are mentally. The pressure was getting to them. No other reason for multiple games where multiple players were missing easy chances. They bottled it. Now it's essentially hope that City drop points which is very unlikely and we become a functional team again. Even before the last few weeks, I had us drawing at Villa, so that shows the enormity of what is in front of us in the league. 

Virgil has really pissed me off over the past few games. I've no doubt Bob would have bombed him out in the summer if it was his era and with a new manager coming in, it will be interesting what happens. He's been admiring himself over the past few weeks and I don't see too much leadership from him. Robbo is clearly not the player he was, but fuck me his attitude was brilliant yesterday. Unless Virgil gets a grip and has a good look in the mirror, we haven't got a hope of getting results because he is essential in a Jurgen team. Right now, he looks about as far removed from imperious as you get.

The defence is getting off lightly imo, given how badly the attack has been.

Virgil most of all. To be fair Robbo and Ali were very good today.

I can accept Jota's miss. It's unlike him. The others though if you took them on a one of game, but it's multiple games where they are wasteful. A few days ago, I critiqued Haaland as being a great striker/mediocre player...what I wouldn't give for that right now. With the level of chances we create, any half decent finisher could get 30 goals. Mo is goosed. If we get a decent offer this summer, just take it. You see a player like Watkins and what he brings to Villa. He's consistently been top class for them. He might not be Mo of two years ago, but I'm very sure if we had a player like him (especially with Jota out in recent weeks), we'd be top of the league. 

Got to be honest Emery is a very good manager. If we haven't a deal boxed off for anyone, I'd be seriously tempted by him. He knows the league and that's an advantage. Yeah, he's not Jurgen, but who is.

55 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

7 to go in the league, including today. 

Sorry my mistake!

1 hour ago, Section_31 said:

I've been pretty certain for a few weeks we're gonna fuck this up. That last bit of effort has been lacking for sometime. Can look on for a treble or quadruple every year but end up winning fuck all. When the shit hits the fan, the cradle will fall - into the shit.

Today is gigantic. For me, it's the performance as much as the result.

If we play shite and win 2-1, for me it just tells me, we're most likely finishing third. If we play with confidence and swagger and take our chances, I'd be hopeful going into what will be a very tough fortnight of away games.

It's all about the mindset. Last week, we played the occasion. On Thursday, we thought this shower are shite and got turned over because of our arrogance. We've seven cup finals left - six in the league and one in Italy. 

We need to knock this shite on the head.

Spurs will take points of two of the three teams imo. Yesterday, was classic Spurs, but our game with them will be seriously hard. It'll be a horrible game for Arsenal at their place and they could do a number on City as well.

I was at the game on Thursday and it's rare I get to go these days.

Got talking to a lovely Irish family who had got up at 2 in the morning to get a coach from Kerry to Dublin. They were then going straight back after the game to get a coach to Holyhead and back to Kerry. The kids were so excited and had learned a lot of the songs. The Dad told me they sacrificed a holiday abroad to come over because the kids were so mad for seeing a game and the travel companies over there are charging an arm and a leg. It's actually disgusting. It sounds like the company they went with get a lot of tickets from the club because about five coaches went over - must suit the club as tourists will spend in the club shop. You would have to respect the dedication of a lot of our foreign fans or those coming from places like Southampton, but the club seem to be marketing it as an "experience", which will impact the atmosphere, as you're more likely to get to understand the match day rituals by being around local Reds. If I ended up at a Boca game, I'm sure the local fans would think I'm a complete twat.

I do feel it is like a Jurgen pilgrimage right now. Even I was thinking will it be the last time I see him managing us live.

2 hours ago, Scott_M said:

If there was ever a time for another 9-0 home win…

We do have history against them...Aldo's final game!

23 minutes ago, BeefStroganoff said:

There goes the GD. The team have to wake up tomorrow, find their finishing boots and start putting teams away.

Maybe I'm a romantic, but I have this feeling we are going to hit a team for six or seven in the remaining games.

I always felt Luton keeping City to winning by 3 goals would be a decent result for us. A win by 4 isn't but I had this worry they would hit them for six or seven so not a horrible disaster. I think if we lose it, it will be because we fuck up at Villa or West Ham (could be nearly any game going on last Thursday) rather than goal difference, but ideally we hunt Arsenal down in terms of it and keep ahead of City.

Just now, 3 Stacks said:

If you don't want Boss Barkley on a free this summer after the season he's had, local lad, knows the city, I don't want to know you.

He's a really good player in fairness. I can't say I've seen too much of him this year, but anytime I have he's looked very good.

4 minutes ago, Em City said:

That 'Fletch' cunt is the biggest little Englander moron ever. Arsenal equalise and he's asking McCoist if Bayern will shut up shop. Bayern then go onto to dominate the rest of the game and hit the post.

 

They're five times champions of Europe and one of the biggest clubs in the world. As if they're going to shell up against a team that have won the square root of fuck all. 

He's an absolute twit that fella.

You would swear Arsenal just needed to show up. Looking at the Bayern team, you had seasoned winners at all levels. Their best player has won fuck all, but is one of the best players in the world. Arsenal might get to that level in the coming years, but right now they are the very talented protender. Clueless gobshites.

It's like the bafflement from the media when Kane went to Bayern, like he'd gone to a pub team. One of the great clubs of world football with a decent chance of winning a Champions League every year and they couldn't get over it.

19 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

 

The thing with all these fixtures is it's really hard this far ahead to know what team you're going to play.

 

Everton aren't used to playing twice per week, don't have much of a squad and they'll be playing us either side of games with forest and Brentford. They'll certainly need to win the former and will probably want points from the latter. West ham at the end of that week, also struggle around midweek games even though they're much more capable of that than Everton. And if they get past Alonso in the next round, they'll have a European semi ahead. 

 

The following week we have spurs at anfield and it'll be clearer by then ifn5th place is in the CL and if it is, they'll be on the beach, because the mancs won't be catching them. And then the following week it's villa who'll like be in the same boat as spurs and will have likely just played a European semi with their best team. 

 

Then all that could be shite as villa and west ham might be out of Europe, England don't look like getting the 5th CL spot and all these games are really live with teams fighting for their lives and not prioritising. 

 

Then there's all kinds of permutations for city and arsenal. 

 

So I just see it as absolutely nobody has more points than us as it stands. So keep moving forward, get the next 3 points and see where we are. You never know, that point in Manchester might end up being the point that wins it. 

 

 

Mate, you've got to try and enjoy it. Otherwise what's the point. And this is likely to be the last time we'll get to enjoy it for a few years, so make the most of it. 

Good post.

From memory, West Ham don't play the night we play Everton which makes that a very tough Saturday game. It's funny though, even if Spurs had achieved their goal, I'd still worry about them and equally hold out hope for them against City. I have this hope Villa could do a number on Arsenal this weekend. 

A huge advantage we have is that we have numerous players coming back from injury at just the right time. Fair enough City will too but Arsenal have had a lot of luck in this regard.

Kane is such a beautiful player. I genuinely find it hard to dislike him. He'd be a revalation here.

Bayern look good too. Arsenal have become a very good team, but I can't help but feel that they're still the level below elite and a lot of mediocre teams have made them look exceptional recently. That's why I have a hope they drop a few points in the next seven games.

I actually love seeing Bayern and Real scoring but the best thing is they both get through if I'm being honest.

8 minutes ago, Dave D said:

I’ve decided Alonso is a shit Ranieri 

Hope you're right Dave!

Surely the practical thing would be to put the game in Croke Park, which is over 80k.

I personally have no issue with cities like Dublin getting big games. It's bad enough that UEFA have dilluted competitions where so many countries either won't make it into group competition, or are also rans if they do, without letting them get the chance of the biggest games. Better than Paris with dickhead police and a huge population of people who are seriously on the margins and who see fans as a target. At least in Dublin, their scals are basically the same as ours.

Uefa always fuck up the allocation. It's a story as old as time.