2015

13 minutes ago, SecretSam said:

Explain Doku, who's a "running with the ball" type of player?

Simply bought by Pep to push them further up the pitch when needs be because of his pace. Technically, he's poor no where near the ability of Foden or Grealish and a step down on the talent they had previously out wide (Mahrez, Sane, D Silva, Sterling).

10 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I'm baffled why you said that Man City have an obsession with possesion and positional play. That may be so. But why say the obsession bit? You've framed it like it's a negitive.

Maybe it's a negitive for Cole Palmer but Man City are the holders of 5 trophies and have a decent chance of doing back to back trebles so their obsession with it is well founded. 

Grealish had a fantastic season for Man City last season and was instrumental in them winning the treble. 

I'm not going to tell you that you know nothing. I think Peps huge body of work speaks for itself. 

I don't think anyone would put Cole Palmer in a team ahead of KDB, Foden or Bernardo Silva. 

Pep certainly has an obsession with this style of play, it's not wrong on his part to play that way as it works and is very successful.

I deem it negative because I find it actually quite mundane and characterless to watch, it works but it's not what I particularly enjoy watching.. As said elsewhere I prefer Liverpool's organised chaos to Man City's robots.

If you like Man City then fair enough but it's not wrong to find them boring to watch either.

Just now, MarcusX said:

Yea I get what you're saying, he's more of a "proper" winger. I really like him

Glad he left Man City because Pep would have tried coaching his flair out of him to make him more of a team player (See Grealish)

I now await a certain Seagull from Weston to now quote me and tell me I know absolutely nothing..

I would definitely offer James a two year deal. We're a totally different outfit when he isn't playing (and not in a good way).

6 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

Respectfully I think you're wrong. 25 games 1 goal last season, was hardly setting the world alight. Was a regular in the U21s squad though.

Obviously has a good head on him, or had some good advice, to step away from City and get more regular football which he's thrived on.

Made his debut in the last international break, and then was injured in this one and don't forget he's had the likes of Saka, Foden, Rashford (til he lost form) and Grealish ahead of him.

I don't think Palmer really suits Man City's obsession with positional play and possession. 

Palmer is not the type of player to get the ball, and pass straight away. He dribbles into space and isn't necessarily a team player all of the time (which is what I want from a Number 10/wide man).

As I said before there's an arrogance about this kid that I really like, he doesn't think he's the best Chelsea player he knows he is and it shows when he plays.

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

No way will Bowen start a game at the Euros.  

I'd hope not. I do rate him, but he isn't a starter for a side who wins a major tournament imo.

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Palmer or Saka is the option here I think. 

Lots of talk about Bowen. Good player that he is, he isn't as technically gifted as Palmer or Saka.

Massive fan of Palmer. Proper player. Would love to see him given a real chance for England. A real flair player and is arrogant.

7 minutes ago, 22A said:

Just found this on the Sunderland forum; https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/premier-league-eyeing-up-abolishing-points-deductions.1631030/

Basically want to scrap points deductions as per title and introduce a luxury tax. If that happens it'd provably result in the PL becoming a two horse race each year between the two state owned clubs. And would make a bit of a farce of the PL as a sporting competition. It would likely widen the already huge gap between the top and bottom clubs.

This feels like their way of protecting Man City and Chelsea. What a farce Football at the top in this Country is becoming.

7 hours ago, George Rs said:

That is the poorest argument to determine an individuals quality i’ve ever seen. 

If anything it adds to the argument that Kane is better.

In just last season, Kane had 30 league goals for spurs. A team who finished 8th, played with 3 different managers, one of which actively spoke down on the club whilst in charge. 

Haaland scored 36 (only 6 more) goals last season, 7 being penalties, in arguably one of the best sides in premier league history. 

By your logic Marc Albrighton is a better player then Heung-Min Son because he won the premier league and FA Cup with Leicester. 

An argument can be made that Haaland is a better goal scorer but he is no where near as good a footballer. 

Kane has 37 goals this season in 35 matches for Bayern Munich.

By comparison, Lewandowski who was previously at Bayern had a season high of 49 goals in 41 games, whilst playing in a better side.

I find it embarassing the English fans and media who choose to mock Kane, he's one of the best talents we've ever produced and could easily end up with over 50 goals this season at the rate he is scoring currently.

I hope Ipswich and Leeds go up. I like the fact both sides play with speed and high intensity to outscore opposition. I'd take organised chaos over positional passing play any day of the week.

Leif Davis for Ipswich is a hell of a player btw.

Personally prefer Liverpool's style of play to Man City/Arsenal. I feel Klopp allows his player's more freedom tactically which makes their games far more entertaining from a neutrals POV.

I am tired of seeing slow methodical passing to control games and positional play being the key to winning matches which is what Pep and Arteta are disciples of. 

I would take Liverpool's chaotic style of play to Pep's structured style any day of the week purely because I like to be entertained.

11 hours ago, The Journalist said:

Unpopular opinion = Harry Kane is a far better player than Erling Haaland.

Not unpopular at all, it's completely accurate. Last season i'd argue Kane's G & A stats were just as impressive as Haaland's were as he played for a much weaker side.

1 hour ago, mozo said:

I think you're right about Conway. I know he doesn't get many chances, but his general play is off.

The kid isnt as good as he thinks he is imo.

POP

Just now, Ecko said:

Let's have it right, Plymouth are shite. 

League 1 side imo bringing the likes of Joe Edwards on

6 hours ago, Graham76 said:

A lot of us feel this way. This really should be a game to be excited about, but instead we’re all depressed and wanting to do something else 

Forgot we had a game.

Tired of the club tbh and not renewing ST.

2 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

Agree. Inferiority complex the taffs & jocks. I always thought the Scot’s acted like international gas heads . Don’t really care how we get on as long as don’t achieve anything . Both only started qualifying after uefa & fifa made it idiot proof 

Passion merchants the pair of them. We got beat by Iran but we had the most passionate supporters at the tournament etc etc. English don't compare I just don't have the words to express how much I like this post!

I don't take teams qualifying for Euro tournaments from 2016 that seriously. You had to be good to qualify before then. Same will happen with the World Cup from 2026.

10 hours ago, steviestevieneville said:

Get the **** out can’t believe there’s any Englishman that wants that lot to go through . They detest us & the feelings  mutual 

The only other home nation i'd support is Northern Ireland. 

Can't stand the others, got massive chips on both shoulders. Can never understand any Englishman wishing Wales, Scotland or Republic of Ireland well.

16 hours ago, Portland Bill said:

The biggest issue I have with GJ is the mess he left when he went.

He did exactly the same at Yeovil second time round.

Zero foundations. 

This is why I find it very hard to really be a massive GJ fan. You're correct

Jude COULD be our Zidane... I hope

Just now, SecretSam said:

Jocks lost at home to Norn Iron

Green and white army!

For me being progressive now and innovative is actually being direct and not solely the football being played without 'emotion' or based on positional play..

Too many coached following the likes of Pep, Enrique etc but not understanding this style only really works for them because they have world class players to execute it and it looks fantastic.

We have become too obsessed with statistics, having perfect passing accuracy and having ground covered.

I found this interesting - Henrik Rydstrom interview: How Malmo boss rejected positional play to become Europe's most innovative coach | Football News | Sky Sports

2 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

What has to be remembered about Plymouth is this - they’re not really that local, they’re not really that “rivals” - but they are a fellow “West Country” team who we are bigger than and whose fans will be desperate to turn us over. You turn up to that game passive and with - dare I say - no emotion and don’t win in front of 2000 travelling city in a smaller than normal stadium, then you’d best believe there will be a reaction. 
 

I think Leicester, absent a total gubbing, is a bit more of a free hit and it’s about the approach there. Plymouth is the game that is likely to screw him.

I can't see Leicester hammering us. It'll be by the odd goal if anything, but I do fear if we turn up at Home Park being passive and timid like we have been these last 6 weeks then I fear we get comfortably beaten, despite their also recent poor form they'll be well up for turning us over.

2 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Sadly, I tend to agree.

They're desperate to give him time in the summer with some new players and even more time on the grass.

There seems little evidence this is actually the answer, certainly not to be top 6, which seems laughable.

But like you say, Guernsey will be determined to say "I was right".

What did he allow Lee Johnson - 9 defeats in a row?

So, hey, why not Liam Manning?

It's HIS CLUB and he's determined to have an inexperienced young coach come in and do well for some reason, even if they aren't for the benefit of the club. 

He's seen Kieran McKenna do what he's doing at Ipswich and has decided this is the new route to follow. 

McKenna is to me the opposite to Manning. He's an actual attack minded coach who will throw caution to the wind if needs be (Which is why they ended up beating us 3-2 btw).

6 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Yup.

It’s notable that we’re one week from season tickets having gone on sale and despite there being two natural marketing points to tweet out - the winner of the free season ticket, and the  fact that telephone sales start today, it’s radio silence.

That says to me ticket sales aren’t where they hoped they’d be at this point.

And that won’t be solely on Manning - but he’ll - or more accurately his football - will be a large factor for many, and the lack of sales will focus minds in the boardroom. And that in turn adds pressure to both results and performance to incentivise people to renew.

To me, the game hasn’t changed despite what Latham may think. We get beaten (with no performance) by Leicester and then don’t beat a woeful Plymouth, I can see P45 next week. I don’t think he gets out of the woods fully absent a miraculous last eight games, but there will be a degree of wanting to do it before ST holders drift away.

I can't see it happening tbh. Even if we lose 7 of the last 8 and survive (which we will anyway) SL will want to prove to people he is right and we're wrong.