The 2022-2023 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Something must've happened behind the scenes with Parker and Bournemouth — pretty harsh to dismiss him after facing three of the top teams in the league in a row. They didn't spend anything after earning promotion and always seemed a safe bet to go right back down again.

I don’t think most clubs think that way. Changing manager is always seen to be ‘doing something’ even if it is brainlessly reactive and ultimately counterproductive. There seems to be little account taken of the quality of the opponent or lack of money spent (the latter of course being the owners’ responsibility.) If Bournemouth had lost 9-0 to another promoted club it would be real cause for alarm. But this loss, while bad, is much more understandable in context. Everyone at Liverpool were furious over the result at OT and spent the entire week getting amped up to make a response. Bournemouth were unlucky to face them then, just as Liverpool were unlucky to take an injury-hit squad to OT the week after Man Utd suffered their own humiliating loss and had to respond.

Firing managers in these circumstances doesn’t, IMO, represent ‘joined-up thinking’ as the phrase goes.

 

[LiverbirdBln]

I don’t think most clubs think that way. Changing manager is always seen to be ‘doing something’ even if it is brainlessly reactive and ultimately counterproductive. There seems to be little account taken of the quality of the opponent or lack of money spent (the latter of course being the owners’ responsibility.) If Bournemouth had lost 9-0 to another promoted club it would be real cause for alarm. But this loss, while bad, is much more understandable in context. Everyone at Liverpool were furious over the result at OT and spent the entire week getting amped up to make a response. Bournemouth were unlucky to face them then, just as Liverpool were unlucky to take an injury-hit squad to OT the week after Man Utd suffered their own humiliating loss and had to respond.

Firing managers in these circumstances doesn’t, IMO, represent ‘joined-up thinking’ as the phrase goes.

It does feel like a rushed decision, kind of overenthusiasm. If they are unlucky with their next choice, they will go down again end of the season. A lot of teams would have loads of different managers per season if they fired them after 3 consequent losses.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’m glad no one wanted to get rid of our manager after three loses!
But then West Ham don’t tend to be a club that fire manages a lot.
I think Parker is a nice guy. But nice guys don’t always make good managers. I think he’s just been unlucky after such a one sided game.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It does feel like a rushed decision, kind of overenthusiasm. If they are unlucky with their next choice, they will go down again end of the season. A lot of teams would have loads of different managers per season if they fired them after 3 consequent losses.

Some clubs treat relegation like extinction, but really for a smaller club getting promoted and going straight down doesn’t have to be all negative. Don’t overspend on short-term solutions to ‘stay up’, keep the books balanced and give your manager the opportunity to do his best with modest resources - he got you promoted so he’s probably not a clown. If you go down, we’ll, you still probably have a promotion-worthy squad and premier league parachute money to boot. You can aim for promotion again.

But few owners can resist the temptation to risk everything to stay in the premier league club.

 

[daneoni]

Apparently, Scott and the owners weren't really aligned and his open criticism of the players at EPL level, and the lack of recruitment, was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Forrest and Fulham have strengthened and look improved sides, meanwhile Bournemouth have done nothing

It notably increases the probability of Bournemouth getting relegated. But i guess Sean Dyche is currently a free agent.

 

[Silencio]

HandsomeDanNZ must still be working off the buzz from his lads defeating Chelsea tonight, and it was a well deserved victory. I honestly thought it would be the Saints' turn for the drop this season, but they've come out of the blocks very strong, indeed. Hopefully Hassenhüttl can help them avoid another long, barren patch like they've suffered over previous seasons and they can stay out of trouble.

You have to wonder if the worm is turning soon for Tuchel at Chelsea. He's at that point in his tenure at the Bridge where it's started to go wrong for him, like at Dortmund and PSG previously.

 

[daneoni]

^^
They've been slowly declining since they won the UCL.

Tuchel hasn't found an identity, and his squad looks as disjointed as ever despite over >£300m spent. (Granted they've been sanctioned and changed owners but still)

Tuchel seems tactically astute but also seems to be poor at man-managing and communicating effectively

Boehly is not a football man either and looks to be largely relying on coaching staff for footballing direction. Hence the scattered gun approach.

But who knows, things may yet change by the end of the window

EDIT: Fofana deal completed...£76m

 

[Lord Blackadder]

You have to wonder if the worm is turning soon for Tuchel at Chelsea. He's at that point in his tenure at the Bridge where it's started to go wrong for him, like at Dortmund and PSG previously.

I think we all saw this coming when he got hired. Short term success followed by a falling-out. Mourinho-esque.

 

[daneoni]

Back to back hat-tricks for Haaland. City have unlocked a cheat code for the EPL. The title race looks to be ridiculously one-sided.

 

[Sal09]

Arsenal 🫣 2-1 #COYG

 

[daneoni]

Different aura about Arsenal but probably need to be more ruthless.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Back to back hat-tricks for Haaland. City have unlocked a cheat code for the EPL. The title race looks to be ridiculously one-sided.

Cheat, yes, but the ‘code’ is just ‘state club.’ I can easily see a scenario where Liverpool finish with 90ish points and Man City still run away with the title. It’s nuts.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A rather good win for Arsenal this evening.

Back to back hat-tricks for Haaland. City have unlocked a cheat code for the EPL. The title race looks to be ridiculously one-sided.

Unfortunately, this may be all too true, but, as @Lord Blackadder rightly observes, is also a reflection of the new template of club ownership, that of a (profoundly unpleasant) sovereign state.

Different aura about Arsenal but probably need to be more ruthless.

However, while I wouldn't quite argue that the club has been transformed, I will take quiet pleasure from the fact that this has been the best start to a season for a very long time, and that Mr Arteta's time at the helm finally appears to be yielding some dividends in terms of resilience, results and team spirit.

Cheat, yes, but the ‘code’ is just ‘state club.’ I can easily see a scenario where Liverpool finish with 90ish points and Man City still run away with the title. It’s nuts.

Agreed.

It is nuts.

Absolutely nuts.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Cheat, yes, but the ‘code’ is just ‘state club.’ I can easily see a scenario where Liverpool finish with 90ish points and Man City still run away with the title. It’s nuts.

I’m sure you’d not complain if Liverpool were running away with it. The way you are going you’ll be lucky to get 3rd.

Happy with the draw against a good Spurs side. Chelsea up next for us.

But agree they might as well give the trophy to City now.

 

[daneoni]

Cheat, yes, but the ‘code’ is just ‘state club.’ I can easily see a scenario where Liverpool finish with 90ish points and Man City still run away with the title. It’s nuts.

To be fair City haven't even been ridiculous with their spending this window. Net spend of +£34m so far. And Nunez was more expensive than Haaland.

Liverpool granted have injuries but that midfield needs a refresh.

And i low-key wonder if Salah is going to do an Aubameyang...sign a bumper contract and then suspiciously forget how to score.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I’m sure you’d not complain if Liverpool were running away with it. The way you are going you’ll be lucky to get 3rd.

I draw a line between state clubs and everyone else. It’s next-level financial doping and it should not have been allowed.

I’m not saying I am comfortable with Liverpool’s ownership model. Or any of the clubs in the top leagues in Europe, including yours. I think reform is needed across the board. But state clubs are a distinct thing that is clearly different (and worse).

 

[Apple fanboy]

I draw a line between state clubs and everyone else. It’s next-level financial doping and it should not have been allowed.

I’m not saying I am comfortable with Liverpool’s ownership model. Or any of the clubs in the top leagues in Europe, including yours. I think reform is needed across the board. But state clubs are a distinct thing that is clearly different (and worse).

I’d like to see a model where fans own a large % of the club in a supporters trust.
But I don’t think that’s likely to ever happen.

 

[Sal09]

To be fair City haven't even been ridiculous with their spending this window. Net spend of +£34m so far. And Nunez was more expensive than Haaland.

Liverpool granted have injuries but that midfield needs a refresh.

And i low-key wonder if Salah is going to do an Aubameyang...sign a bumper contract and then suspiciously forget how to score.

Salah is a gentle soul.

Mane use to bully the opposition's back line.

They haven't replaced him.

 

[Sal09]

Different aura about Arsenal but probably need to be more ruthless.

Totally agree.

That never give up mentality is bearing fruits. Plus I think there is more harmony in the dressing room with all the big personalities booted out. They look like a solid group under Arteta.

 

[Sal09]

Manchester United next. Bring it on .

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

HandsomeDanNZ must still be working off the buzz from his lads defeating Chelsea tonight, and it was a well deserved victory. I honestly thought it would be the Saints' turn for the drop this season, but they've come out of the blocks very strong, indeed. Hopefully Hassenhüttl can help them avoid another long, barren patch like they've suffered over previous seasons and they can stay out of trouble.

You have to wonder if the worm is turning soon for Tuchel at Chelsea. He's at that point in his tenure at the Bridge where it's started to go wrong for him, like at Dortmund and PSG previously.

I got a fair bit of grief when I loudly exclaimed that with the skilful and brave young side we have, Saints can beat (almost) anyone on their day - clearly it was our day against Chelsea. My only worry is that we aren't yet consistent.

It really puts into perspective how patient the Saints board have been though - Parker sacked after a 9-0 loss and also Jack Ross at Dundee for the same scoreline. Ralphy-boy suffered two of those and scraped the bottom of the league for months on end...and yet here we are, talking about great recruitment and even greater results under that same manager.

Haaland really really is like a football-bot. He powers into the game, scores, leaves and seems almost unfazed by it all.
Man City have found the missing link and that's all she wrote for this season, I feel.
Barring some terrible injuries to players at the World Cup, I can't see them being stopped now. Unless Arsenal would like a word....and may I be the first to say - bravo. The Arse have been magnificent thus far. Let's hope there's enough depth for when the season starts to pile up.

I can see there being a few upsets in the top 10. The bottom 10? hard to tell at this early stage, but it's not looking great for a couple of teams.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

...and may I be the first to say - bravo. The Arse have been magnificent thus far. Let's hope there's enough depth for when the season starts to pile up.

Arsenal stuck with Arteta when the 'conventional wisdom' would have been to fire him, and while I don't know how successful his tenure will ultimately be in terms of trophies, I think it is fair to say that he is successfully transitioning the club to the Post-Wenger era.

 

[Sal09]

Brandon Rogers to get sack next?

 

[daneoni]

Would be a pointless sacking. He hasn't done anything wrong. Won them the FA cup and got them into Europe.

Leicester have overachieved and are now massively flat-footed. 35yr old CF and 31yr old CB. Midfielders that look set to be poached in due course.

Standing still in the EPL is suicidal. You will get found out.

Bit like the bournemouth job. No manager wants to go somewhere where they won't be backed.

Only three managers have managed that structure in recent memory. Arsene Wenger, Steve Bruce, and Sean Dyche. And in all cases, it didn't work out well.

On another note, pretty underwhelming deadline day in the end. Only the Antony deal which technically had already been done.

Highlight has to be Bamba Dieng. Literally burst out laughing.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

On another note, pretty underwhelming deadline day in the end. Only the Antony deal which technically had already been done.

Highlight has to be Bamba Dieng. Literally burst out laughing.

I have to say - it's nice to come away at the end of a transfer window and know that we have only moved on players we didn't want or need and nobody of substance left...AND we bought half of the Man City academy and poached some up and coming world-class talent for bargain prices.

This season could finally be one that doesn't stutter in the middle, as we finally have depth.

Southampton FC - Transfers 23/24

Transfers: Overview of all signed and sold players of club Southampton for the current season.

www.transfermarkt.com

Mateusz Lis (free, Altay)
Gavin Bazunu (£12.6m, Manchester City)
Armel Bella-Kotchap (£9m, VfL Bochum)
Romeo Lavia (£11.1m, Manchester City)
Joe Aribo (£6.4m, Rangers)
Sekou Mara (£11.7m, Bordeaux)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (loan, Arsenal)
Samuel Edozie (undisclosed, Manchester City)
Juan Larios (undisclosed, Manchester City)
Duje Caleta-Car (£9m, Marseille)

Out
Harry Lewis (free, Bradford City)
Fraser Forster (free, Tottenham Hotspur)
Caleb Watts (loan, Morecambe)
Dan N'Lundulu (loan, Cheltenham Town)
Shane Long (free, Reading)
William Smallbone (loan, Stoke City)
Thierry Small (loan, Port Vale)
Benni Smales-Braithwaite (free, Barrow)
Will Ferry (undisclosed, Cheltenham)
Nathan Tella (loan, Burnley)
Oriol Romeu (undisclosed, Girona)
Jack Stephens (loan, Bournemouth)
Mateusz Lis (loan, Troyes)
Dynel Simeu (loan, Tranmere Rovers)
Yan Valery (undisclosed, Angers)
Jan Bednarek (loan, Aston Villa)

A very good window indeed.