The 2022-2023 Football Thread

[daneoni]

'Pool need a rebuild. FSG need to splurge for at least 4 players. 3 midfielders (including a proper 10) and 1 right back. Should've gone for Paqueta who could've played on the right or in a 10.

Too many players on the wrong side of 30 who can run out of steam quickly, and look jaded and knackered. Plus there's a lack of depth or Plan B.

Pep always freshens things up (albeit he is well funded) which is why Fernandinho, Kompany, Silva have all been moved on. Despite exceptional service.

Arsenal also need 2 in midfield. The level noticeable drops when Partey and Xhaka are not on the pitch. Even today, you could see they missed Zinchenko (who likes to join in midfield) which is why Liverpool got back in after the opening 5 mins.

Although Tomiyasu was immense for them too.

 

[Silencio]

United showed some meddle to overcome an early goal from an in-form Everton and win. Goodison Park is normally a house of horrors for us, so I'm very pleased they stuck with it and fought back well. Aside from the goal they conceded, the first half of play showed excellent progress all around. Now if Casemiro can continue to get up to speed in the PL and Martial can just stay fit for a minute or two...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Columbus are beaten by Orlando 2-1 and that’s it for our season. Second-fewest losses in the eastern conference and yet we finish 8th after a poor home record and so, so many points dropped from winning positions. There has been Too much personnel shuffling in defense, the result at least in part of some injury issues.

Of the teams above us, I really only rate Philly and maybe Montreal. We’ll see if they can do the business in the playoffs.

 

[laptech]

'Pool need a rebuild. FSG need to splurge for at least 4 players. 3 midfielders (including a proper 10) and 1 right back. Should've gone for Paqueta who could've played on the right or in a 10.

Too many players on the wrong side of 30 who can run out of steam quickly, and look jaded and knackered. Plus there's a lack of depth or Plan B.

Pep always freshens things up (albeit he is well funded) which is why Fernandinho, Kompany, Silva have all been moved on. Despite exceptional service.

Arsenal also need 2 in midfield. The level noticeable drops when Partey and Xhaka are not on the pitch. Even today, you could see they missed Zinchenko (who likes to join in midfield) which is why Liverpool got back in after the opening 5 mins.

Although Tomiyasu was immense for them too.

FSG need to spluge, really??? Liverpool were contesting everything last year and came oh so close to doing it all. They virtually the same squad and look where they are in the table. The playrs have lost their mental toughness. All of them still have their footballing skills but it is not playing out on the pitch like it did for them last season. They had a very good season last year but at the last hurdles it didn't quite work out for them and they are depressed for it. You can see it on the pitch, the players are not performing how they did last season, neither is Klopp. They are all making mistakes and it is showing. The club does not need new players, what it needs is somebody to get into their headspace and give them a good kicking telling them to get out of it what ever it is they got screwed up in their head.

 

[Silencio]

As of right now, switching out Sadio Mane for Darwin Nunez is a big, big downgrade. They've had to change the way they play a bit to accommodate him, and they're just not comfortable yet.

Arsenal look really good. Having a plan and sticking with it are paying dividends for them. That, and getting rid of the malcontents, even if taking a financial hit on the deals — addition by subtraction. There is a lot there that United ought to learn from.

Speaking of Liverpool, what on earth did Jordan Henderson say to Gabriel yesterday? Seems like something really, really bad — his own teammates, especially the Brazilians like Alisson and Firmino, looked pained out there.

 

[daneoni]

FSG need to spluge, really??? Liverpool were contesting everything last year and came oh so close to doing it all. They virtually the same squad and look where they are in the table. The playrs have lost their mental toughness. All of them still have their footballing skills but it is not playing out on the pitch like it did for them last season. They had a very good season last year but at the last hurdles it didn't quite work out for them and they are depressed for it. You can see it on the pitch, the players are not performing how they did last season, neither is Klopp. They are all making mistakes and it is showing. The club does not need new players, what it needs is somebody to get into their headspace and give them a good kicking telling them to get out of it what ever it is they got screwed up in their head.

I think so. The squad has been further unbalanced with Mane's departure and they haven't really replaced Wijnaldum. Virtually the same team as last season is now 14pts off the summit. The table never lies.

They're ageing, and gegenpresse is lacking.

They are still good enough for top 3 but nowhere near challenging City who have gone up a gear.

Getting rid of Klopp would be a catastrophic decision that would easily set the club back 2-3yrs

The squad needs refreshing and maybe a formation change in the interim. Otherwise it will be same ol same ol.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I think so. The squad has been further unbalanced with Mane's departure and they haven't really replaced Wijnaldum. Virtually the same team as last season is now 14pts off the summit. The table never lies.

They're ageing, and gegenpresse is lacking.

They are still good enough for top 3 but nowhere near challenging City who have gone up a gear.

Getting rid of Klopp would be a catastrophic decision that would easily set the club back 2-3yrs

The squad needs refreshing and maybe a formation change in the interim. Otherwise it will be same ol same ol.

They are all just miffed about Salah’s new wages.
Personally I’m enjoying seeing Liverpool implode. Klopp is not a good manager for the PL constantly pushing for more substitutions or other rule changes that benefit his team. Whenever any of the greedy six fall out of the top six it’s a good day in my books.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Forest vs Villa is not really going to plan for either team...they both need more than a point from this one.
25 min to go. Lots of time to see a swing one way or another.

 

[Sal09]

As of right now, switching out Sadio Mane for Darwin Nunez is a big, big downgrade. They've had to change the way they play a bit to accommodate him, and they're just not comfortable yet.

Arsenal look really good. Having a plan and sticking with it are paying dividends for them. That, and getting rid of the malcontents, even if taking a financial hit on the deals — addition by subtraction. There is a lot there that United ought to learn from.

Speaking of Liverpool, what on earth did Jordan Henderson say to Gabriel yesterday? Seems like something really, really bad — his own teammates, especially the Brazilians like Alisson and Firmino, looked pained out there.

You could see Firmino and Alisson’s reaction plus all Brazilians were in a huddle after the final whistle.

No action will taken by FA. Just like John Terry he will get slap on the wrist.

If it’s something racist then what was the point of taking the knee at the start of the match.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just watched the highlights from Liverpool’s match with Arsenal. Such woeful defending. Why couldn’t they clear their lines? Basic stuff. My Dad would have gone ballistic at me if I’d defended like that as a child. Sometimes the ball just needs to get out of your 18 yard box by any means.

Also I will say we really had some things go our way. Clearly two of the goals were hand ball. I’d not have spotted the first one, but the lack of celebration until he was cleared by VAR, gave the game away. Antonio’s was even more obvious.
Didn’t see a problem with the penalty though!

 

[Sal09]

Just watched the highlights from Liverpool’s match with Arsenal. Such woeful defending. Why couldn’t they clear their lines? Basic stuff. My Dad would have gone ballistic at me if I’d defended like that as a child. Sometimes the ball just needs to get out of your 18 yard box by any means.

Also I will say we really had some things go our way. Clearly two of the goals were hand ball. I’d not have spotted the first one, but the lack of celebration until he was cleared by VAR, gave the game away. Antonio’s was even more obvious.
Didn’t see a problem with the penalty though!

VVD reminds me of Thomas Vermaelen. He was never the same player after he came back from his injury and VVD is the same.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

As of right now, switching out Sadio Mane for Darwin Nunez is a big, big downgrade. They've had to change the way they play a bit to accommodate him, and they're just not comfortable yet.

Right now Saudi Mane himself at Bayern is a big, big downgrade from Saudi Mane at Liverpool.

Which strengthens the case for much of Liverpool’s issues being down to fatigue. They played every single competitive match they could theoretically have played last season, and that on the back of several seasons of achieving VERY high points totals in the league and long campaigns in Europe. No team has more mileage on the clock.

They don’t need a ‘kicking’ or any of the stuff ‘proper football men’ prescribe to teams/players in a funk. They need a rest.

As for Nunez, on current evidence it’s looking like the gamble on him might not pay off (though I think it’s still far too early to pass final judgment). You can only hit the jackpot so many times and Julian Ward, who had big boots to fill in taking over leadership on this recruitment work, still has everything to prove.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Oh, and as for the Hendo/Gabriel incident, it seems that both sides are keeping tight-lipped. I have not dug deeply for details but I haven’t heard anything further.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Right now Saudi Mane himself at Bayern is a big, big downgrade from Saudi Mane at Liverpool.

Which strengthens the case for much of Liverpool’s issues being down to fatigue. They played every single competitive match they could theoretically have played last season, and that on the back of several seasons of achieving VERY high points totals in the league and long campaigns in Europe. No team has more mileage on the clock.

They don’t need a ‘kicking’ or any of the stuff ‘proper football men’ prescribe to teams/players in a funk. They need a rest.

As for Nunez, on current evidence it’s looking like the gamble on him might not pay off (though I think it’s still far too early to pass final judgment). You can only hit the jackpot so many times and Julian Ward, who had big boots to fill in taking over leadership on this recruitment work, still has everything to prove.

Part of that of course is the way Liverpool play. Fast football with lots of pressing. They need to be able to switch it up and play a different style sometimes. But Klopp doesn’t seem to do that.
At least they have a bigger squad to rotate. European football is doing West Ham no favours. We are rotating some players, but key personal are having to play twice a week. The WC looming won’t help either for many.

 

[laptech]

Last season was Klopp's perfect season and i think he knew it, contesting everything, getting to the finals of everything and only coming away with two trophies. In my opinion he would have been devistated to not have won everything and I think this has carried over into this season. Yes he will manage the team but as a man who likes to challenge himself, a man who has already won the major trophies a club would desire, that being the premier league and the champions league, plus the FA Cup, the league cup, FA charity shield cup, the euro super cup, FIFA club world cup. What else is there to challenge him? he's done it all, well nearly. Not sure if he wants to go for the UEFA cup. Has he finally had enough and that is what we are now seeing.

 

[Silencio]

I haven't watched much of Mane at Bayern yet, but he was such a perfect fit at Liverpool. A force multiplier can end up being a bigger negative when removed.

Liverpool doesn't have a big enough squad at the moment, especially in midfield. Injuries are piling up again, with Luis Diaz and Joel Matip joining the ranks on the shelf. TAA is also going to miss some time. Klopp's physically demanding style exacts a toll and requires quality depth to sustain.

As for players in the PL taking the knee, they decided to stop doing that before matches this season. Apparently the message behind the gesture is already forgotten.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I haven't watched much of Mane at Bayern yet, but he was such a perfect fit at Liverpool. A force multiplier can end up being a bigger negative when removed.

Liverpool doesn't have a big enough squad at the moment, especially in midfield. Injuries are piling up again, with Luis Diaz and Joel Matip joining the ranks on the shelf. TAA is also going to miss some time. Klopp's physically demanding style exacts a toll and requires quality depth to sustain.

As for players in the PL taking the knee, they decided to stop doing that before matches this season. Apparently the message behind the gesture is already forgotten.

At least if TAA misses a few there are more chances of clean sheets! 🤭

 

[Apple fanboy]

Last season was Klopp's perfect season and i think he knew it, contesting everything, getting to the finals of everything and only coming away with two trophies. In my opinion he would have been devistated to not have won everything and I think this has carried over into this season. Yes he will manage the team but as a man who likes to challenge himself, a man who has already won the major trophies a club would desire, that being the premier league and the champions league, plus the FA Cup, the league cup, FA charity shield cup, the euro super cup, FIFA club world cup. What else is there to challenge him? he's done it all, well nearly. Not sure if he wants to go for the UEFA cup. Has he finally had enough and that is what we are now seeing.

It takes a very good manager to keep the momentum going. Especially when it comes to rebuilding teams again and again. Alex Ferguson managed it well. Not many others do.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Columbus has parted ways with manager Caleb Porter after another season out of the playoffs.

In itself this is not a shocking development, but he was a title-winning manager and at the moment relations between the club and fans are gradually souring - particularly after-effects of our disastrous 'rebranding' with the new logo, and the political activism of the owners which is at odds with a large portion of the fan base. Porter was a figure both sides looked to as a stabilizing element in that relationship, so this season ends with a lot of questions to be answered.

The squad is not in bad shape, but there are some significant issues with the defense that need to be addressed, and some of our key players are nearing the end of their careers.

I haven't watched much of Mane at Bayern yet, but he was such a perfect fit at Liverpool. A force multiplier can end up being a bigger negative when removed.

Liverpool doesn't have a big enough squad at the moment, especially in midfield. Injuries are piling up again, with Luis Diaz and Joel Matip joining the ranks on the shelf. TAA is also going to miss some time. Klopp's physically demanding style exacts a toll and requires quality depth to sustain.

As for players in the PL taking the knee, they decided to stop doing that before matches this season. Apparently the message behind the gesture is already forgotten.

Liverpool never really had the same level of depth as some of its direct rivals. But for several years 'Pool punched well above its weight with a stellar starting XI and manager at the top of their games. The team has been more vulnerable to injuries than some clubs, and has also benefitted from batting way above average in terms of transfer business. At some point some of that has to regress to the mean.

It takes a very good manager to keep the momentum going. Especially when it comes to rebuilding teams again and again. Alex Ferguson managed it well. Not many others do.

Ferguson did manage the rare feat of building a championship squad more than once. He also left the squad in a disastrous state when he retired. Even he has his limits.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Columbus has parted ways with manager Caleb Porter after another season out of the playoffs.

In itself this is not a shocking development, but he was a title-winning manager and at the moment relations between the club and fans are gradually souring - particularly after-effects of our disastrous 'rebranding' with the new logo, and the political activism of the owners which is at odds with a large portion of the fan base. Porter was a figure both sides looked to as a stabilizing element in that relationship, so this season ends with a lot of questions to be answered.

The squad is not in bad shape, but there are some significant issues with the defense that need to be addressed, and some of our key players are nearing the end of their careers.



Liverpool never really had the same level of depth as some of its direct rivals. But for several years 'Pool punched well above its weight with a stellar starting XI and manager at the top of their games. The team has been more vulnerable to injuries than some clubs, and has also benefitted from batting way above average in terms of transfer business. At some point some of that has to regress to the mean.



Ferguson did manage the rare feat of building a championship squad more than once. He also left the squad in a disastrous state when he retired. Even he has his limits.

Agreed. He had passed his best but managed to retire with dignity.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I see Steve Bruce is looking for work again.
I wonder how long it'll be before he's linked with the upcoming gig at Southampton.

I dare say, if Saints don't win this weekend, Ralph will be given the heave-ho.

So, with that in mind, who would be a good manager to take over? We have a young, recently overhauled squad, with a few injuries and a lot of raw talent.
We need a striker, so Sean Dyche is out - he likes a big front man and we haven't got one. Although he might be able to lure a large man from the Championship up to the Prem in January...
Steve Bruce would be a disaster.
Saints couldn't realistically afford to go back to Poch or Ronnie K, so what's left out there?
Could Saints lure Ange Postecoglu from Celtic and European football to play in the lower end of the Premier League? I would doubt it.
There must be a gem of a manager out there in a smaller club (someone like Potter) who just needs the big break?

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

On a different note, what are our collective thoughts on Mbappe and this latest bit of "news" that he's unhappy because Messi has so much influence?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63222542

 

[Lord Blackadder]

On a different note, what are our collective thoughts on Mbappe and this latest bit of "news" that he's unhappy because Messi has so much influence?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63222542

It’s hard to care. PSG are a Galacticos club, so internal chaos is to be expected. And the gravity generated by Messi and his entourage is going to focus attention on him to the detriment of other stars. If Mbappe needs to be the biggest fish he may have to move on - but he will find the situation similar at any other club capable of affording him.

On the other hand, Messi is pretty old now. He won’t be at PSG much longer. His contract ends next summer. So I’m not sure why Mbappe has chosen this moment to be unhappy.

 

[daneoni]

The PSG structure looks toxic. And Mbappe has started to believe his own hype like Neymar.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

The PSG structure looks toxic. And Mbappe has started to believe his own hype like Neymar.

Indeed. I see there’s also talk of a bust-up between those two as well.

Many egos. One club. Recipe for disaster.