Ronnie Whelan

Delighted shit likes that comes out.

The pr machine was in overdrive for an absolute cunt of a man. Fucking over working class employees would be right up Sir Jim's playbook, yet he was lauded by the press as some kind of modern day Richard the Lionheart keeping the Quataris away.

Horrible man.

If Jota stayed fit (no laughing), we would be top of the league and we'd be in the FA Cup final imo

We would have beaten the Mancs in both games, Crystal Palace and Everton over the past few weeks. We wouldn't have spiralled like we did. Yes, I know Diogo came on against Palace and missed a very easy chance, but unlike the others, he literally had just come on. I also note he missed the United home game which was an absolute kick in the bollox.

It feels like we're a million miles away from being contenders, but we're solidly the third best team in the league and only for the above, we could be on for a double right now.

It is time to cash in on Mo. He's been a great player, but this was never going to end well. A guy like him isn't quietly going to go into the night - it's part of what made him a great player, but equally that ego is a difficulty as he is on the way down. I'll be sad to see him go but that's shithouse behaviour today. As said, I hope his cockamamie shit doesn't cost us a few quid.

If they don't want to play for Jurgen, then play for themselves and take pride in being incredibly paid athletes. Being honest, regardless of a manager, having pride and being professional is a given.

I would play the kids for the remaining games. I'm so annoyed with the senior pros. Get them ready for next season. Quansah and Bradley have been a great success. Buy a beast of a centre half and buy either Watkins or Kane (kane is unlikely so watkins). We do need to take a leaf out of Arsenal this season - they bought expensively in Rice but he's top class. Havertz has been a good signing as well.

Obviously, we don't know the full story re Mo/Jurgen, but my immediate feeling is Mo can fuck off.

51 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

I do get what you're saying. I guess my point is everything is about results. If he'd got them doing something shit and they were smashing it, his tactics would almost have not mattered. The same with his man management. I completely agree though some of the chumps he's managed in both Trafford and spurs should have been glad he was willing to put them on the pitch in the first place. 

Spot on here. Results make it or break it and with him, I think after leaving United when he went from being a sacred cow to someone that was "toxic" according to the Manc pr machine, he then had a tougher job at Spurs because that shit sticks.

The media have an unbelievable power in this country, especially the very powerful pundits like Carra and Neville for influencing people. I just hope Carragher isn't a knobhead about Slot, but I won't be holding my breath. 

12 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

What the fuck is this. 

Praise of Mourinho and Terry

 

Filthy degenerates some of you lot

I know I deserve the plank into shark infested waters for that.

9 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

 

I think what I mean about him being yesterday's man, is he would do things like play a back 6, with his 4 defenders narrow and his wingers like fullbacks. When players think that's an effective tactic, they'll go with it. They might hate it. They might not even want to do it the first time. But when it works when they don't expect to win, then they'll do it again and again and they'll buy into other ideas they may not like. 

 

Once other teams work his system out, he keeps playing it regardless and it doesn't work, well they're not going to get that last minute of a cup final type performance out of players for a whole 90 minutes. And from there that sours everything. And then when he throws one or two under the bus, like he will, the rest of the dressing room will think he's the problem and not the player. If they were winning, that type of thing is just seen as part of the magic. 

 

Especially when Pep rhymes with cunt so well. 

Yeah his tactics are very out dated but on some level and as much as I don't like him, I think the likes of his former Manchester United players judging him on his managerial ability is laughable. At least he was at the pinnacle of his trade for years, whereas those twats have won fuck all as players.

Maybe, just maybe, the toxic atmosphere the Manc pr machine alleged he created was down to him trying to bring professionalism to a very unprofessional mob of twats. 

1 hour ago, Barrington Womble said:

He could probably build a rapport with post-millenial players too if he moved with the times tactically. If his football was still relevant and successful, I'm sure a lot of the players he could still get to run through walls for him. It's just nobody is going the extra mile for yesterday's man. I think it's been clear over the years players will do almost anything on a pitch provided they think it is winning football. 

I think he's shown he can't manage a lot of the modern players. Maybe, it's a slight on them, but as you say, he's probably shown he hasn't moved with the times. I do think if they viewed him as yesterday's man, it reflects badly on them, because regardless of what you think of him, he was a winner and most of the twats at United and Spurs have won fuck all. I know if I was a player I'd look at his achievements in the game and give him respect. It was hillarious when he said coming 2nd with that Manc team was his greatest achievement in football. 

33 minutes ago, Dave D said:

Excellent post. We all hated him but despite the embarrassment of riches, Mourinho and his players and the Chelsea fans were a formidably strong force. Something Peps City can’t relate to at all

They were a proper team, even if they were incredibly unlikeable. 

John Terry was some defender.

5 minutes ago, VladimirIlyich said:

Nobody who gets paid to manage 'loves the club' they are professionals who have to cold,hard and calculated to do their job properly. All the fan stuff,it seems Klopp is mainly a Mainz fan,is for retirement. 

Like I said Vlad, I've nothing against him at all. In fact, I think for his career he's probably made the right decision. He'll always be a hero at Leverkusen now and Real's job is possibly his in a year. It's the biggest job in world football. We're one of the biggest clubs but for a Spanish lad, it makes sense. We're the level below Real.

I think management is mercenary in nature because any of them can be in the shit with fanbases after a handful of bad results and that includes Jurgen, Pep and Ancelloti - maybe Jurgen a lot less so because we adore him. Still, I've no doubt that Jurgen has a gigantic bond with us and Dortmund. I doubt Pep has that with City other than professional pride at winning trophies (I know I know) and it's probably the same with Ancelloti at Real. The key thing is getting someone that can be very good and someone that the fans will relate to. I mean you see how it is going so badly wrong at the Red Mancs and to be honest he walked in there with a lot of goodwill and their fans being excited by him. While their players are a horrible bunch, it is clear he's a knobhead. The anti-Klopp if you will.

It's funny but I listened to John Terry talking about Mourinho and how he rang him to tell him he was coming "home" to Chelsea for that second spell. He's always held up as the ultimate mercanary manager, but that somewhat surprised me. I don't see Pep ever having that emotional bond with City, other than lots of cash in his bank account. I mean I hate Mourinho, but he was a great manager in his day and it's clear he could build a rapport with the pre-Millenial players because a lot of them from the Porto/Chelsea/Inter teams seem to love him. 

People need to forget about Alonso. He had his chance and fucked us off.

I've no doubt he cares about the club at a superficial level, just like Torres and Suarez did. Has happy memories and likes us more than the other English clubs, but rightly or wrongly, he didn't love us enough to come here. 

I don't hold a grudge against the man. He was a very good player here and became truly world class once he left us. He's clearly a really good manager and seems a decent fella. I can't say I blame him for not coming here because I think he would be on a hiding to nothing and that's even with him having credit in the bank which the others don't have.

Anyhow, lets just move on from him.

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.