Neither do I, in truth.
Although I detested their arrogance, under Sir Alex, which was apparent the year they declined to appear - or compete - in the FA Cup, (around 2000, I think); must say that disrespectful attitude really irked me, as well.
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The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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Neither do I, in truth.
Although I detested their arrogance, under Sir Alex, which was apparent the year they declined to appear - or compete - in the FA Cup, (around 2000, I think); must say that disrespectful attitude really irked me, as well.
This match against Burnley is a microcosm of Man Utd's season - a team set up to counterattack and sorely lacking when called upon to take the initiative against a reactive team. A situation exacerbated by the loss of Rashford and his pace.
As for Burnely, six points after playing Chelsea, Leicester, and Man Utd all in a row is a good haul.
Leicester win but Vardy pulled a butt muscle (can't resist mentioning it) and that's a big blow for them.
As for Burnely, six points after playing Chelsea, Leicester, and Man Utd all in a row is a good haul.
Leicester win but Vardy pulled a butt muscle (can't resist mentioning it) and that's a big blow for them.
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While I have major concerns about Solskjaer's ability to handle the job and would not be too sad if he is replaced, he is the least of the problems at United. Apparently, Poch won't consider the job unless Ed Woodward steps away from the football decision-making, and he's got the exact right idea. Otherwise, the position is a poison chalice, as Solskjaer is probably painfully aware right now.
There has been intense debate over the last few days focused on whether OGS is good enough to be the Man Utd manager (with Roy Keane passionately, and rather uncharacteristically, arguing that OGS deserves more time to get settled). This misses the point entirely. The Glazers and Woodward are responsible for the state of the club, not OGS. Solskjaer is probably not good enough as a manager, but a better manager - like Pochettino - might only serve as a useful band-aid, obscuring the structural flaws in the club by performing minor miracles in terms of punching above their weight (as Poch did at Spurs).
Ferguson was a once-in-a-lifetime talent and raised expectations beyond what could possibly be satisfied going forward after he retired. His presence (and the relative competence of David Gill, Woodward's predecessor) also shielded the owners from criticism to a certain degree. Woodward once said openly that Man Utd do not have to be successful on the pitch in order to be a successful cash cow. He laid his cards on the table for all to see. Liverpool fans experienced a similar attitude from Hicks & Gillette (the former especially), and it ended painfully for all concerned.
Perhaps the scariest fact is this - The Glazers have already drained more out of the club than they've spent on it. From a financial point of view, they could run the club straight into the ground, walk away from the ruins, and still come out on top in monetary terms.
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Excellent and very well argued post.
However, this scenario had already started before the departure of Sir Alex, - for, while the club was (retrospectively) mortgaged to fund the takeover and has been subsequently saddled with the debt - his genius, such as it was, meant that he was able to coax performances from a generation of players who should have been past their best, and indeed were.
However, the aura surrounding Manchester United meant that the consequences of this toxic takeover weren't immediately apparent, and paradoxically, the successes of the final Sir Alex years were able to mask some of these consequences.
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I'll be honest - yes, I do want to see this Liverpool team achieve "invincible" status - even though I don't think it will happen, because there are just too many chances for a freak result and there are teams in the league who are quite capable of winning against Liverpool even if the latter play well. So, that means every single match that isn't a blowout in terms of scoreline will make me nervous as hell. Like tonight, when Liverpool face a very, very good Wolves side away from home.
I just want three goals from Salah as I’ve played triple captain this week!
From your lips to God's ear, as the saying goes....I'd gladly take a hat trick from Mo.
Agreed. He’s actually got two games this week. His other game is against us, so I’d imagine he might get one or two then as well the way we are playing.
They haven't been defeated once yet this season, (yes, I know, it is still January), and - equally important - they lost only once throughout all of last season, and, yes, still finished runners-up.
Yes, capriciousness, or one of the other very good teams delivering an unusually outstanding performance, or (what would be my biggest fear), some serious injuries to key players - are, to my mind, what could derail Liverpool's bid to become Invincibles.
However, frankly, winning the Premiership is what matters most this season, and - for now - it is theirs to lose; achieving this as a team of Invincibles is icing on the cake. Best of all would be to claim both the Premiership and the Champions League.
Liverpool managed to bag the win, but that was the toughest match they've payed since their draw with Napoli. It's not news to say Wolves are a good side, but what impressed me was their overall solidity - they are a well-balanced team without any obvious flaws - and this despite having a relatively small squad of players too. Their only "flaw" is that the talent level isn't quite at the most elite levels. But they are a great package and I hope their impressive run in the league and in Europe continues despite this result.
On paper, this was the second-toughest match left in Liverpool's league schedule apart from the visit to Man City later this spring. But of course, even the best teams stumble in unexpectedly, so Klopp & Co still have a long way to go before the season is in the books.
Sorry @Apple fanboy - I guess you should have made Bobby Firmino captain!
On paper, this was the second-toughest match left in Liverpool's league schedule apart from the visit to Man City later this spring. But of course, even the best teams stumble in unexpectedly, so Klopp & Co still have a long way to go before the season is in the books.
Sorry @Apple fanboy - I guess you should have made Bobby Firmino captain!
Another victory for Liverpool - 2-1 against Wolves, who fought to the end, clawed a goal back to equalise, and pressed and pressured and stretched and questioned Liverpool more than any other team have stretched them thus far this season.
Yet, at the end, if and when Liverpool win the Premiership, it will be the fact that they can eke (almost undeserved) victories out of hard fought games such as this, that will confirm their status as Premier League Champions.
Candidly, Wolves deserved a point; but Liverpool have lost neither the habit of winning, nor their appetite for victory, as they have not lost a game sine this time last year.
Yet, at the end, if and when Liverpool win the Premiership, it will be the fact that they can eke (almost undeserved) victories out of hard fought games such as this, that will confirm their status as Premier League Champions.
Candidly, Wolves deserved a point; but Liverpool have lost neither the habit of winning, nor their appetite for victory, as they have not lost a game sine this time last year.
It was a game of fine margins, but Henderson, Trent, Virgil, and Alisson came up big in a few key moments and that decided the result.
Traore is a monster player for Wolves - Liverpool could not deal with him.
Agreed that I would also love to see Wolves do well, both in the League and in Europe. They are a terrific team, who play well together, are difficult to beat, and also show that it is possible to have a good team - who play for one another - with a relatively small squad that does not sound as though it would cost the equivalent of the GDP of a small nation.
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The downside to the current Wolves team, of course, is that they are in some ways the creation of "super-agent" Jorge Mendes, and his relationship with the club, while obviously close, is not clearly defined.
I think Wolves are a very good size. I think what they lack in superstars (and egos) they make up for in team spirit.
Something West Ham could really do with.
Something West Ham could really do with.
Eriksen is just about off to Inter. Given Spurs' thin squad this seems an idiotic move on paper, especially for a paltry 17 million pounds, but football is not played on paper and Eriksen checked out long ago.
Agreed. But it’s that or he walks in the summer. Plus if they don’t want to be there, it’s usually better to get rid.
He didn't contribute much this season and they aren't getting much money for him. Not exactly a feather in the supposedly wily Levy's cap. Of course, he's not a Mourinho player either. Too much skill/creativity, not enough graft.
Indeed. I’m sure the funds will be made available to Mourinho to bring in his type of player. Let’s be honest the one thing he is good at is spending money!
Mourinho is NOT a manager, at least in his later years, who has demonstrated an ability to extract the maximum results out of modest or constrained resources. He did do that early in his career with Porto, but that was a long time ago.
To me the Levy-Mourinho combo makes no sense, so I remain interested it see where it goes.
A pretty dismal West Ham performance. Can’t say I’m surprised. We need some fresh blood in urgently.
One wonders whether Gold and Sullivan have simply accepted relegation. Without some impactful January signings things look grim. They are pursuing some signings but they can't afford to fail to land them.