Agreed.
But, in order to be able to achieve this, time is necessary, and - these days - not all managers are given the amount of time that is necessary - which can take years - to develop a side properly.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Agreed.
But, in order to be able to achieve this, time is necessary, and - these days - not all managers are given the amount of time that is necessary - which can take years - to develop a side properly.
I think having a star striker like Kane is a huge boost to a team but having an imperious defense led by a star center back is even more important across a season. Strikers get the headlines but defending is arguably more important for results. Spurs' 2015-2016 title challenge came on the back of a really solid defense.
Villa's loss today is good news for West Ham. But I doubt the Hammers will get anything from the match against Chelsea. The key matches will be Burnley, Norwich, and Watford. Seven points from those three matches are probably needed to stay up and probably at least a point against Villa on the final day.
Then again, poor Bournemouth have a much harder run-in, and if they collapse West Ham might survive anyway. If they survive I'll be happy for the fans (especially our own Apple fanboy), but their ownership does not deserve survival.
Villa's loss today is good news for West Ham. But I doubt the Hammers will get anything from the match against Chelsea. The key matches will be Burnley, Norwich, and Watford. Seven points from those three matches are probably needed to stay up and probably at least a point against Villa on the final day.
Then again, poor Bournemouth have a much harder run-in, and if they collapse West Ham might survive anyway. If they survive I'll be happy for the fans (especially our own Apple fanboy), but their ownership does not deserve survival.
Agreed on our owners. Trouble is our club probably can’t afford relegation. Many people could lose their jobs.
But then not many clubs have good owners or are well run.
True, and more true than ever now. Staying up could mean the difference between balancing the books or going bust. And while I couldn't care less about Gold and Sullivan, it's the rank and file employees who would suffer.
Agreed.
This is key.
Re West Ham, approaching the end of the season is not the time you want to meet teams that are fighting to stave off relegation; that is when they are desperate and most motivated.
Rather, the "easiest" possible run-in for a team in danger of the drop, is with that cluster of teams cosily ensconced in the middle of the table, safely secured in their membership of the Premiership for another season, untroubled either by Europe or the threat of relegation.
Did you just describe Arsenal?
Actually, perhaps surprisingly, I would prefer it if Arsenal were not distracted with the time and resource consuming demands that qualification of the Europa Cup would entail.
Unless you actually win that trophy (and merely making it to the final is insufficient), it is a colossal call on resources and time.
Personally, over the coming months, I would far prefer to see them spend some time (and even more money) on seriously good defenders (an impressive centre back would be nice) and in making themselves very difficult to defeat.
Last edited:
I’d just hope you keep hold of your outstanding striker. He’ll be linked with every big club across Europe. Especially if you don’t have any European football.
I'd imagine that Mikel Arteta will see the task of persuading him to remain with the club as one of his key challenges this summer.
Other challenges will include persuading some others to leave: Those who do not make the grade, and/or are out of contract, and some of those who are not comfortable with the manager's vision, and who may thrive better in foreign pastures.
Agreed. The Europa completely drains your squad and isn't really much of a spectacle until the very late stages.
Some teams can cope with the demand but when you're in a state of transition like Arsenal, you could do without the fuss. Also unlike teams such as Everton and Sheffield United, the competition simply doesn't mean much to Arsenal.
They'd be far better off with no Europe at all and treating top four as a trophy in itself. I'm a Liverpool fan and one of the main reasons we competed in 13/14 was the lack of any distractions compared to our rivals. In fact I don't think it's any surprise that the next unlikely title contenders after us, Leicester, also had no European fixtures.
Exactly.
And agreed completely.
For now,I would like to see Arsenal focus on improving their defence, (and midfield), and setting their sights on a top four place; and perhaps, aiming for some domestic silverware.
And warm congratulations: As a Liverpool fan, you must be delighted, both at the fact that you have claimed the Premiership, and by the way that Klopp - whom I think a most impressive manager and a very decent and ethical human being - led you to it. Very well done.
Sometimes, successful teams (that is, teams that manage to maintain a successful winning streak) are just as good (or have become just as good) at "winning ugly" as they are when "winning pretty", or skilfully, or with flair and creativity and sublime artistry.
Bask in the glory mate what an outstanding season and an unbelievably talented squad. It has been a joy watching Liverpool play this season. I think the secret is they have several superstars who are also team players and have been so consistent.
[automerge]1593310078[/automerge]
Yes winning ugly, I wish Spurs could have picked up that trait over the years. Maybe next season we will see that if and when 'the special one' settles in.
FA cup. I’d sort of forgotten about that. Well a win is a win.
Agree re the warm words about Liverpool.
"Winning ugly" is one thing (and, it seems to me, to be a necessary skill to acquire if a team is to perform consistently well over the course of a season), but I must say that I don't like the exceptional and extraordinary negativity of 'the special one', irrespective of who he manages.
My bad, I was not being negative at all about our coach to be perfectly honest I just struggled to spell his name correctly so reverted to 'the special one'. Lazy me. Same with our previous manager I just call him Poch! Oh if it was only as easy as saying Klopp and then we would be Champions 
Arsenal just conceded an equalizer to Sheffield United in the 87th minute, and then almost conceded a second a couple minutes later. They've faded badly in this cup tie, and extra time seems certain now.
EDIT: And as I type Ceballos scores! He looks to have saved the tie for the gunners.
Norwich just haven't been good enough this season but they pushed Man Utd really hard yesterday. Man City still have to be big favorites for the Cup, as they look to salvage the season with a major trophy.
EDIT: And as I type Ceballos scores! He looks to have saved the tie for the gunners.
Norwich just haven't been good enough this season but they pushed Man Utd really hard yesterday. Man City still have to be big favorites for the Cup, as they look to salvage the season with a major trophy.
Last edited:
My bad, I was not being negative at all about our coach to be perfectly honest I just struggled to spell his name correctly so reverted to 'the special one'. Lazy me. Same with our previous manager I just call him Poch! Oh if it was only as easy as saying Klopp and then we would be Champions
Pocchettino was an superb manager, who enabled Spurs to not just reach their full potential (several top four finishes, a CL final) but who - to my mind - actually over-achieved with that team - on what were, comparatively speaking, fairly meagre resources, and a talented squad that lacked strength in depth.
Arsenal are through (2-1) to the semi-final of the FA Cup, having defeated a solid enough Sheffield United team in the quarter-final.