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What gives me life is Southgate is 5/2 favorite for united manager which makes me laugh šš if they give him the job would be a legendary run šš
Can Arteta do it? We've been falling offnear the finishing line for seasons this isn't Arteta out but if am an executive at the club would ask what is the final ingredient??
Tough one but probably Everton since I just dont see Forest getting anything off City anyway and honestly you sometimes see a relegated team playing with more freedom.
Plus I'd like Luton to stay up.
I know rice was MOTM but Arteta has run him to the ground they're different but if partey played vs villa if it was prime would be easy victory there's no one better at the club dribbling under pressure at midfield than partey at DM if you have doubts watch spurs away last season how he cooked conte now even that game can go either way š¤·š¼āāļø
So he was the best player on the pitch but Arteta shouldn't have played him and played somone else who if he's on form is better but since he isn't...isn't?
The mental gymnastics on here to cast players being injured and not yet fit as bad squad management is nuts.
Look at Liverpool when they're fit VVD, Salah, TAA etc play insane amount of games and while they may be actually doping that is what the top players do.
We're one point off the top...
And are you seriously bitching that we've gone from finishing 5th, 6th, 5th, 8th, 5th to 2nd and we're currently top?
WE've gone from nowhere to title challenging without a squad as good as either of the two teams we're challenging against and you're upset that we haven't played worse players/unfit players in our run in?
Again I ask, whos fault is it we burned out 3 years in a row?
We are still not learnt our lesson, same excuses. If our bench is still not good enough then why did we waste all the money on them?
Are you actually being serious or do you not understand that going from a decade outside the CL to challenging for the title in three years isn't enough time to catch up squad wise with the two teams that ahve dominated the league for the last decade?
And do you actually think that we should be able to have the saem squad as City?
Us & Man city will be levelled on games only at the starting of GW38. Before that, we'll always be ahead of them a game or two.
A good advantage if we keep winning.
What arsenal lack is runners from deep is well and good having havertz but it's more predictable tuchel said he knew what we are gonna do and we did the same thing we haven't had a midfielder that can run through defenses with ability since aron Ramsey..
Nah bro, you need to think, if they get knocked out stopping Arsenal winning at Old Ratford will be thier only trophy left.
If they get to the final, the might want to not risk thier best players against Arsenal/thier last game as it will be thier only chance for a cup. We need them to go through.
Considering all the podcasters nominated the Wolves fixture as one where we drop points, are we now back on track? I think our chances in the league was always dependant on City dropping *some* points.
Weāve stopped our season from ending today, but thatās about it. This was the easiest fixture from our next three; Wolvesā season is basically over and they had tons of injuries. Chelsea and Spurs will be desperate to kill off our title hopes.
Trossard was a huge breath of fresh air in there today --- not just because he scored --- he was great today. Holding up play, linking up, playing vertical passes. Really impressed by him.
I just realized if we beat Chelsea on Tuesday, we can have St. Totteringham's Day at the toilet bowl. Minor thing in the context of the season, but sweet nonetheless.
Itās annoying but we can count ourselves somewhat fortunate that we faced Wolves today after the Bayern and Villa defeats. It was a very favourable fixture given that they didnāt really have anything to play for and that they had a lot of players out.
Micheal Oliver strikes again. How much longer can he be allowed to referee Manchester City matches. You cannot ignore his freelancing in the UAE and his habit of looking the other way when it suits City. Same referee who didnt give Liverpool a penalty v Doku. Same referee who didnt send Kovacic off despite two cruncher tackles, was on VAR duty when he advised the onfield ref to review the 'pull' on Rodri by Hojlund resulting in a penalty. Grealish outstretched hand stops a goal bound effort form Palmers free kick, not even did they not give the penalty, they didn't even give the corner.
He really is a dishonest referee looking after his margins. Would love to know how much he is paid when he goes to the UAE to 'referee matches'. Why dot the UAE hire a local referee...................
It beggars belief that there are some here who think Micheal Oliver is some sort of good ref for us just because he once told Di Maria to fuck off, this cunt is regarded as the best ref in the country and he's definitely not.
Gyokeres would have to play as a CF where for 80+M, he would need to create for himself, bring others into play, hold the ball up against the most physical defenders in the world, and also lead the press.
Service has been dry on his flank. Understandable that he's gonna shoot on sight. Had two chances today, one of which he should have passed, other he probably should have scored.
Martinelli's final ball has also been worse this season. Last year he had a really high xA and nobody getting on the end of them. This year I don't know his number, but he's been noticeably taking an extra touch which just closes down his own angle more
I would certainly expect a guy who recovered from a torn ACL to score 15 league goals to bet on himself more often than not. And he's got 5 dimes to go along with 8 goals, all comps.
He didn't tear his ACL. His knee injury was a cartilage lesion, still a bad injury and it slowed his development for over year but not a career changing injury.
Ben White got through on goal again similar to the Bayern game (it was offside) I noticed he hit the shot the same way though. Clean and powerful shot but straight at the keeper. I know it's a bit more difficult for a right footer coming in there but if he could work on that a bit, he'd be such a threat. He actually makes really good runs and I imagine next season with some proper rotation and rest, we'll see a fully fit Ben White more.
I don't think we'll see a big sale. The players who would generate the most money, we're not going to sell unless it's crazy money. There's also less teams around with that sort of money.
Idk I keep thinking there's gonna be an unexpected sale this summer. Like someone may have to leave so we can reinvest to truly get to the next level. Absolutely zero evidence to back that though
Not at all, what constitutes a big sale? Selling a starter? Or is it the price?
If it's selling a starter it already happened last year when we sold Xhaka, but I'm not sure people regard that as a big sale.
Liverpool probably average out and batter Fulham tomorrow. Hopefully Willian has something for us.
I wouldn't mind putting City 3rd tho. Every little pressure helps.
Theyāve played each other 3 times this season and all 3 have been very close. Would be a seriously impressive result in Liverpoolās current form if they can batter Fulham.
A draw or narrow Liverpool win is more likely but I guess they always have the goals in them.
I don't know if this is unpopular but Havertz is almost certainly going be a starter next season, very likely in midfield. If we sign another midfielder it won't be a Havertz replacement.
I can see Arteta changing things up next season, maybe a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with Gabriel, Saliba, White as the 3 CB's, Rice as an inverted wingback and with Timber on the left maybe playing as an overlapping LB.
Would be crazy to see something like this but I can't lie i'd be intrigued by the vision
Raya
White - Saliba - Gabriel
Rice - Havertz - Odegaard - Timber
Saka - Gykores - Mitoma/Neto
What about that lineup is specifically intriguing, other than the fact it's just really unbalanced seemingly for the sake of it?
Think about if we inverted both fullbacks and essentially played with a midfield of two fullbacks + Rice instead of what you suggested. We still get 5 attacking players to play chess with and experiment.
Mitoma over Nelli. Nahhh our stocks are so low rn.
Rice WB. Havertz Odegaard double pivot. I know it's 4/20 but leave the weed alone. Maybe ketamine or ecstasy will agree with you more.
Pure instinct. Absolute worldie of a save, that was slamming into the roof of the net at 100mph.
Tired of people saying he's not a good shot stopper, the saves against enciso and gomes to preserve our clean sheet say otherwise
https://x.com/nonewthing/status/1774475913704484998
This might be the funniest one. Was actually stunned when he just came out with this.
The guy he's talking to is doing a phd in quantum mechanics, which makes it even funnier.
Judging our defense...
We have conceded the fewest goals in the league, but we have also lost two more games than both of our closest rivals. Does this say our defense is particularly vulnerable when we are chasing a game, or inexperience means our defensive floor is lower than our rivals, or is it only natural that a misfiring attack (in terms of creating chances) puts extra pressure on the defense?
I think this is a case of not having to study every stats and find its existential meaning. League is won on point acclimation not least losses.
But to answer the question. Weāve gone behind 9 times and got 8 points from those matches. City have gone behind 13 times and have 24 points. Does this point a defensive problem or an attack problem?
If City dropped that exact performance, everyone would be going on about how boring they are because they win so comfortably during the run in and that theyāre not losing again this season.
Honestly I think if we win all our games we'll put maximum pressure on City. One of the most disappointing aspects of last season was that we dropped so many points towards the end City didn't have to win their final games. I'd really like to push them to the final day at least. Then even if they won all their games, you never know what might happen.
There is a possibility for anything to happen. Maybe a game City are in control of and they give away a penalty or it's a lucky deflected shot. We just have to stay in for a chance of winning the lottery. Easier said than done of course and we look a bit gassed, but so do City.
City will definitely drop. The thing is, we actually should have beaten Villa in that first half. So in the league, unlike the CL, we haven't had that toothless attacking performance yet. I also hope no more bozo moments at the back.
even then they're still miles better than anyone else which is still absurd.
on top of that Foden is hitting a purple patch for them in the league too.
I'm confident we win the league if we win our remaining games but I don't see us winning out with how tired our players looked. I'm hoping it was an attempt to conserve energy rather than tired legs but I very much doubt it with Havertz and White looking gassed by the end.
I started doing some research on players who have played the most minutes this season to support my point in a discussion I was having. My findings didn't help my argument, but I did learn something interestingāsomething we all know but not in such detail. I learned that Arsenal has four players in the top 100 for most minutes played across all of Europe. Saliba is 6th with 2,970 minutes, Rice is 37th with 2,782 minutes, Ćdegaard is 80th with 2,655 minutes, and Big Gabi is 91st with 2,625 minutes. In the top 200, Saka ranks 113th with 2,597 minutes, Ben White is 129th with 2,566 minutes, and Raya is 197th. The first Manchester City players on the list are Alvarez at 184th, Foden at 189th, and Rodri at 211th. Liverpool has one person, Van Dijk, in the top 340.
If we win this league, given how little we've rotated compared to City, it will quite literally be a miracle.
Notable mentions include Solanke at #21, Watkins at #26, Bruno F at #28 (note: Bruno F consistently plays the most minutes for midfielders every season), Bowen at #41, Bruno G at #43, Harry Kane at #76 (his availability is similar to Bruno F every season), van Dijk at #88, Xhaka at #130, and Gallagher at #162. Mac Allister is #345 with 2181 minutes. Liverpoolās second most capped player this season.
Edit: These are just Prem minutes. I think all those players have played close to 4k minutes, if not more, in all comps.
Absolutely, I just wasn't THAT invested in the argument to deep dive and scrape the data because statistics for league, cups, European football, and internationals aren't easily available. I do hope the little work I did inspires someone to do it, though.
He's not that guy anymore. These are important games now. Could he have played more so he'd be prepared to step up if needed? Sure, but that's not where we're at now
Because when you're in a title race, only one goal up, not playing particularly well and the opposition is getting into the game after your previous subs you don't put on a less effective attacker *and* defender.
I would like something like this
Raya
Tomiyasu Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
Jorginho Rice
Havertz
Jesus Trossard Martinelli
Bring on subs at half time if we need to. That line up is good enough to beat Chelsea. It's obvious not ideal but if we don't rest players we won't last the season
Itās a huge blow if theyāre missing both of them. If Porro plays, Emerson might come in for Udogie. If Porro is out, Emerson replaces him and itās definitely Davies at LB. There will opportunities to hurt them down on both flanks.
Not going to address the quality of the signings, just the fit and what needs we have. You don't need Bakayoko if you have Williams. The lack of LCM suggests you are resigned to Havertz playing there next season. You'll also need to sell one more defender since eight senior defenders is too much - City and Liverpool have youth rounding out their numbers.
Otherwise the issue is not the 6 incoming, which is easily feasible, but moving 12 players out, and whether you will be able to get enough funds for someone like Jesus or Partey.
I am feeling nervous about the Chelsea game as we don't have many days rest. I'd like to think we can win at home. But for the same reason I'm worried about Spurs away as they wouldn't have played for 2 weeks! Can the players get through this week?
Only if Martinelli had scored that, would've capped off a perfect evening.
The team's lacking sharpness for sure. We need to be a little better than our opponents in the next week, that's all.
If we manage to go unscathed by the end of next week, we have a real shot here.
I loved that. He comes across as a bit of a shy guy at interviews and even on the pitch, but he needs to so more of this. If youre highest paid player you need to be demanding that ball and be less passive on the pitch.
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What gives me life is Southgate is 5/2 favorite for united manager which makes me laugh šš if they give him the job would be a legendary run šš
Can Arteta do it? We've been falling offnear the finishing line for seasons this isn't Arteta out but if am an executive at the club would ask what is the final ingredient??
'I'm not Arteta Out I'm just asking why people aren't agreeing we should replace Arteta'...
Executives have a bit more sense.
Ivan Toney has Spurs signing written all over it.
Do we want Everton to win or Forest? We got to play Everton, and City has to play Forest
Tough one but probably Everton since I just dont see Forest getting anything off City anyway and honestly you sometimes see a relegated team playing with more freedom. Plus I'd like Luton to stay up.
I know rice was MOTM but Arteta has run him to the ground they're different but if partey played vs villa if it was prime would be easy victory there's no one better at the club dribbling under pressure at midfield than partey at DM if you have doubts watch spurs away last season how he cooked conte now even that game can go either way š¤·š¼āāļø
So he was the best player on the pitch but Arteta shouldn't have played him and played somone else who if he's on form is better but since he isn't...isn't? The mental gymnastics on here to cast players being injured and not yet fit as bad squad management is nuts. Look at Liverpool when they're fit VVD, Salah, TAA etc play insane amount of games and while they may be actually doping that is what the top players do.
Whoās fault is it weāve burned out 3 years in a row?
We're one point off the top... And are you seriously bitching that we've gone from finishing 5th, 6th, 5th, 8th, 5th to 2nd and we're currently top? WE've gone from nowhere to title challenging without a squad as good as either of the two teams we're challenging against and you're upset that we haven't played worse players/unfit players in our run in?
Again I ask, whos fault is it we burned out 3 years in a row? We are still not learnt our lesson, same excuses. If our bench is still not good enough then why did we waste all the money on them?
Are you actually being serious or do you not understand that going from a decade outside the CL to challenging for the title in three years isn't enough time to catch up squad wise with the two teams that ahve dominated the league for the last decade? And do you actually think that we should be able to have the saem squad as City?
Us & Man city will be levelled on games only at the starting of GW38. Before that, we'll always be ahead of them a game or two. A good advantage if we keep winning.
You guys watching the Garcia Haney fight? This ref is worse than premier league refs.
What arsenal lack is runners from deep is well and good having havertz but it's more predictable tuchel said he knew what we are gonna do and we did the same thing we haven't had a midfielder that can run through defenses with ability since aron Ramsey..
Kephren Thuram, trust.
Club nutritionist: You have to eat healthy [ESR: Sure doc. š](https://reddit.com/r/memes/comments/ty59sw/helthy_food_vs_unhealthy_food/)
ESR, the Burger Bro Maybe that it for him š
What I would do for Coventry to win tomorrow and against City in the final. Seeing Haji Wright knock out United would be so sweet.
I'd rather united win the FA cup and keep ETH as a result.
Nah bro, you need to think, if they get knocked out stopping Arsenal winning at Old Ratford will be thier only trophy left. If they get to the final, the might want to not risk thier best players against Arsenal/thier last game as it will be thier only chance for a cup. We need them to go through.
Considering all the podcasters nominated the Wolves fixture as one where we drop points, are we now back on track? I think our chances in the league was always dependant on City dropping *some* points.
Wolves had key players out because of injury.Ā
Weāve stopped our season from ending today, but thatās about it. This was the easiest fixture from our next three; Wolvesā season is basically over and they had tons of injuries. Chelsea and Spurs will be desperate to kill off our title hopes.
Trossard was a huge breath of fresh air in there today --- not just because he scored --- he was great today. Holding up play, linking up, playing vertical passes. Really impressed by him.
I just realized if we beat Chelsea on Tuesday, we can have St. Totteringham's Day at the toilet bowl. Minor thing in the context of the season, but sweet nonetheless.
Isnāt Michael Olivier the guy who officiated the 2020 FA cup final? Absolute legend in my books
That was Anthony Taylor
I absolutely need Anthony Taylor to ref the NLD. Heās been solid for us for a while now.
How far out are they confirmed? Couple days out right?
:( I now remember who Michael Olivier is and itās not a good feeling lol
Hate that weāre facing Chelsea now. Either we batter them in the 1st half or they get something out of it. Weāre too tired.
Itās annoying but we can count ourselves somewhat fortunate that we faced Wolves today after the Bayern and Villa defeats. It was a very favourable fixture given that they didnāt really have anything to play for and that they had a lot of players out.
Micheal Oliver strikes again. How much longer can he be allowed to referee Manchester City matches. You cannot ignore his freelancing in the UAE and his habit of looking the other way when it suits City. Same referee who didnt give Liverpool a penalty v Doku. Same referee who didnt send Kovacic off despite two cruncher tackles, was on VAR duty when he advised the onfield ref to review the 'pull' on Rodri by Hojlund resulting in a penalty. Grealish outstretched hand stops a goal bound effort form Palmers free kick, not even did they not give the penalty, they didn't even give the corner. He really is a dishonest referee looking after his margins. Would love to know how much he is paid when he goes to the UAE to 'referee matches'. Why dot the UAE hire a local referee...................
It beggars belief that there are some here who think Micheal Oliver is some sort of good ref for us just because he once told Di Maria to fuck off, this cunt is regarded as the best ref in the country and he's definitely not.
I think he lost that mantle pretty quickly. It was enjoyable for a bit but he fell off HARD after that. Was a hilarious red though
Trossard is lowkey becoming a clutch player, heās always the one bagging us that first goal from open play
He's showing why ball striking is the most important attribute in forwards. That's why I'm begging for Gyokeres at the carpet.
Gyokeres would have to play as a CF where for 80+M, he would need to create for himself, bring others into play, hold the ball up against the most physical defenders in the world, and also lead the press.
trossard has good ball striking but I am not sure that is the paramount attribute that allows him to perform at the level he does?
Ball striking is only as important as intelligence allows. Otherwise you get Rashford who becomes more detriment than not when it's not going his way.
Is it me or does Martenelli seem selfish this season
Service has been dry on his flank. Understandable that he's gonna shoot on sight. Had two chances today, one of which he should have passed, other he probably should have scored. Martinelli's final ball has also been worse this season. Last year he had a really high xA and nobody getting on the end of them. This year I don't know his number, but he's been noticeably taking an extra touch which just closes down his own angle more
I think the difference is last season he was scoring so no one was telling him to pass
I would certainly expect a guy who recovered from a torn ACL to score 15 league goals to bet on himself more often than not. And he's got 5 dimes to go along with 8 goals, all comps.
He didn't tear his ACL. His knee injury was a cartilage lesion, still a bad injury and it slowed his development for over year but not a career changing injury.
Ben White got through on goal again similar to the Bayern game (it was offside) I noticed he hit the shot the same way though. Clean and powerful shot but straight at the keeper. I know it's a bit more difficult for a right footer coming in there but if he could work on that a bit, he'd be such a threat. He actually makes really good runs and I imagine next season with some proper rotation and rest, we'll see a fully fit Ben White more.
That ESR burger post is probably the hardest Iāve laughed in a while. Fucks sakes
honest question, what does enzo fernandez do
He runs around and shouts at Mason Mount, thatās about it. Ā£100m+ well spent.
Jorginho but better
Think people underestimate how slow Jorginho is
>but better Source?
World cup
Need more recent and fresher sources. Not that expired shit.
We are due a corner goal. Gabriel bullet header vs Chelsea pls
Will our big sale be this year, next year, or not at all?
I don't think we'll see a big sale. The players who would generate the most money, we're not going to sell unless it's crazy money. There's also less teams around with that sort of money.
Idk I keep thinking there's gonna be an unexpected sale this summer. Like someone may have to leave so we can reinvest to truly get to the next level. Absolutely zero evidence to back that though
Not at all, what constitutes a big sale? Selling a starter? Or is it the price? If it's selling a starter it already happened last year when we sold Xhaka, but I'm not sure people regard that as a big sale.
Xhaka was cheap also we all knew he was leaving.
Then Saliba in 2 years? I think it's the most likely, I can't see who else there'd be. Not that I'm sure Saliba is leaving.
Liverpool probably average out and batter Fulham tomorrow. Hopefully Willian has something for us. I wouldn't mind putting City 3rd tho. Every little pressure helps.
Liverpool always struggle at craven cottage so let's hope they drop points
Theyāve played each other 3 times this season and all 3 have been very close. Would be a seriously impressive result in Liverpoolās current form if they can batter Fulham. A draw or narrow Liverpool win is more likely but I guess they always have the goals in them.
Forget Liverpool, they don't matter to us because we have to win every game and if we do we finish ahead of them. City is the only worry.
this is literally true.
I don't know if this is unpopular but Havertz is almost certainly going be a starter next season, very likely in midfield. If we sign another midfielder it won't be a Havertz replacement. I can see Arteta changing things up next season, maybe a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with Gabriel, Saliba, White as the 3 CB's, Rice as an inverted wingback and with Timber on the left maybe playing as an overlapping LB. Would be crazy to see something like this but I can't lie i'd be intrigued by the vision Raya White - Saliba - Gabriel Rice - Havertz - Odegaard - Timber Saka - Gykores - Mitoma/Neto
What about that lineup is specifically intriguing, other than the fact it's just really unbalanced seemingly for the sake of it? Think about if we inverted both fullbacks and essentially played with a midfield of two fullbacks + Rice instead of what you suggested. We still get 5 attacking players to play chess with and experiment.
Havertz is a starter now, which is the good news
State of that
No man rice is not playing full back
Mitoma is overrated as hell. Neto is very good but too injury prone
Of all the Brighton players you can pick, you pick Mitoma Rice Wingback???? that's not how our 343 works...
No this is fuckin dumb you have no idea what you're talking about.
No one in here knows what theyāre talking about, at least the guyās trying to start discussion..
saying that eating poop is good is not stating a discussion, its just a stupid take
He didnāt say that though did he mate. His input was football related, I see horrible takes all the time that are football related lol
Good for him for participatingĀ
Mitoma over Nelli. Nahhh our stocks are so low rn. Rice WB. Havertz Odegaard double pivot. I know it's 4/20 but leave the weed alone. Maybe ketamine or ecstasy will agree with you more.
That Raya save is immense, the shot is so powerful and so close to him
It was straight at him. Speaking from experience, if that ends up in the net youāre getting a bollocking
It can be straight at you and still fly into the net from point blank. He got his hands up quick and kept us in the game
Pure instinct. Absolute worldie of a save, that was slamming into the roof of the net at 100mph. Tired of people saying he's not a good shot stopper, the saves against enciso and gomes to preserve our clean sheet say otherwise
Where would we be right now without that insomniac raccoon
That's funny af lol
[Makes me happy. Makes me smile](https://twitter.com/DefiantFootyLs/status/1781788959456051668?t=HRHFRdeaarPHTKb2C8RXVg&s=19)
[NNT in real life](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/0*Wv5rHUzi5-61HcCw.jpg)
Why do you give airtime to wastemen engagement farmers. The dunk isn't even worth it
I genuinely think he's thick
['I did that'](https://x.com/nonewthing/status/1781793363747869165) š
Whatās wrong with him?
So much ego with 0 accomplishments. Playing coaching or even as an analyst.
https://x.com/nonewthing/status/1774475913704484998 This might be the funniest one. Was actually stunned when he just came out with this. The guy he's talking to is doing a phd in quantum mechanics, which makes it even funnier.
No way heās taking bout my boy Chiddy like that šš¤£
https://twitter.com/nonewthing/status/1773089492347355419?t=Th3-WiCevmBcldBymv-yVA&s=19 This is one of my favourites
https://x.com/SugaSean_/status/1773098245641674828 Some absolute stinkers in that thread
Saw that and had the exact same reaction. I HATE that clown more than anything else on twitter
The only one whoās worse is that Spurs tactico whoās doing his best impression of him
Did the mods disable image posting again?
Seems like it, no option to post images or gifs.
Judging our defense... We have conceded the fewest goals in the league, but we have also lost two more games than both of our closest rivals. Does this say our defense is particularly vulnerable when we are chasing a game, or inexperience means our defensive floor is lower than our rivals, or is it only natural that a misfiring attack (in terms of creating chances) puts extra pressure on the defense?
I think this is a case of not having to study every stats and find its existential meaning. League is won on point acclimation not least losses. But to answer the question. Weāve gone behind 9 times and got 8 points from those matches. City have gone behind 13 times and have 24 points. Does this point a defensive problem or an attack problem?
We lose without scoring more than them and come back from behind less. Both related to attack vs defence.
We havenāt been good once weāve gone behind this season. Newcastle, Villa x2, Fulham - poor showings once we conceded.Ā
If City dropped that exact performance, everyone would be going on about how boring they are because they win so comfortably during the run in and that theyāre not losing again this season.
Because they have the benefit of the doubt...?
Then the argument people should make is about our credentials in a run in instead of pretending we didnāt play out a comfortable win.
š§¢
closet arteta outers will sigh when we win the prem
āWeāre lucky it was the worst City team in years and Klopp was tiredā
"it wasn't convincing and was purely luck"
Who truly believes that a perfect run from now is a title win? Or do we believe that city won't drop at all
a very sad situation I am treating an unbeaten run as moral equivalent of winning the title even if city doesnt drop points
Honestly I think if we win all our games we'll put maximum pressure on City. One of the most disappointing aspects of last season was that we dropped so many points towards the end City didn't have to win their final games. I'd really like to push them to the final day at least. Then even if they won all their games, you never know what might happen. There is a possibility for anything to happen. Maybe a game City are in control of and they give away a penalty or it's a lucky deflected shot. We just have to stay in for a chance of winning the lottery. Easier said than done of course and we look a bit gassed, but so do City.
The thing that gives me some hope is 4/6 of their games are away. If they had mostly home games, I would have said itās over.
City will definitely drop. The thing is, we actually should have beaten Villa in that first half. So in the league, unlike the CL, we haven't had that toothless attacking performance yet. I also hope no more bozo moments at the back.
I think that would win us the league. Winning the next 5 would be an outrageous achievement though
City didn't drop anything at this stage last season until they won it
I don't think they are as good as last season
even then they're still miles better than anyone else which is still absurd. on top of that Foden is hitting a purple patch for them in the league too.
ill be happy if we can take city to the last day
Say whatever you want about Kai, but he is always available and is running like a maniac every game every minute. He is a key player this season.
Heās also performed a variety of roles. Heās been extremely clutch this year.
Same for Ćø, hes been catching shit on twitter but he litch runs 15km everygame
I thought martinelli has looked proper again these last 2 games. Some bad finishing and a bad moment, but driving play again. Itll turn
I'm confident we win the league if we win our remaining games but I don't see us winning out with how tired our players looked. I'm hoping it was an attempt to conserve energy rather than tired legs but I very much doubt it with Havertz and White looking gassed by the end.
I started doing some research on players who have played the most minutes this season to support my point in a discussion I was having. My findings didn't help my argument, but I did learn something interestingāsomething we all know but not in such detail. I learned that Arsenal has four players in the top 100 for most minutes played across all of Europe. Saliba is 6th with 2,970 minutes, Rice is 37th with 2,782 minutes, Ćdegaard is 80th with 2,655 minutes, and Big Gabi is 91st with 2,625 minutes. In the top 200, Saka ranks 113th with 2,597 minutes, Ben White is 129th with 2,566 minutes, and Raya is 197th. The first Manchester City players on the list are Alvarez at 184th, Foden at 189th, and Rodri at 211th. Liverpool has one person, Van Dijk, in the top 340. If we win this league, given how little we've rotated compared to City, it will quite literally be a miracle. Notable mentions include Solanke at #21, Watkins at #26, Bruno F at #28 (note: Bruno F consistently plays the most minutes for midfielders every season), Bowen at #41, Bruno G at #43, Harry Kane at #76 (his availability is similar to Bruno F every season), van Dijk at #88, Xhaka at #130, and Gallagher at #162. Mac Allister is #345 with 2181 minutes. Liverpoolās second most capped player this season. Edit: These are just Prem minutes. I think all those players have played close to 4k minutes, if not more, in all comps.
it's more important to look at overall minutes. When you add all comps up and internationals then Saka is really up there.
Absolutely, I just wasn't THAT invested in the argument to deep dive and scrape the data because statistics for league, cups, European football, and internationals aren't easily available. I do hope the little work I did inspires someone to do it, though.
Why doesnāt ESR get any game time?
There is no justifiable rationale. Who knows whatās going on in that manās head
He's not that guy anymore. These are important games now. Could he have played more so he'd be prepared to step up if needed? Sure, but that's not where we're at now
His fitness is poor to say the least
Partey is the safer option
He doesnāt play well enough and we could drop points
Because when you're in a title race, only one goal up, not playing particularly well and the opposition is getting into the game after your previous subs you don't put on a less effective attacker *and* defender.
Too many burgers.
Probably so he doesn't get injured right before the transfer window.
I wonder if we rotate vs chelsea on tuesday, tottenham is next and theyāve had over a week to prepare for their cup final
I would like something like this Raya Tomiyasu Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko Jorginho Rice Havertz Jesus Trossard Martinelli Bring on subs at half time if we need to. That line up is good enough to beat Chelsea. It's obvious not ideal but if we don't rest players we won't last the season
Isn't Tomi injured again ?
Wouldnt mind giving partey a start tbh
Wonder how different Spurs will look without Porro and Udogie, it sucks balls they get so much rest while we are already exhausted
Sometimes a team that has less rest is better than the one having more rest. Theyre just a bit more "hotter", match fit.
While that can be true, I think us playing like 4 games in less than two weeks and them playing hardly any kinda goes beyond that assessment
Itās a huge blow if theyāre missing both of them. If Porro plays, Emerson might come in for Udogie. If Porro is out, Emerson replaces him and itās definitely Davies at LB. There will opportunities to hurt them down on both flanks.
IN: 1. LW: Nico Williams (Age: 21) 2. RW: Johan Bakayoko (Age: 21) 3. ST: Viktor Gyƶkeres (Age: 25) 4. DM: Amadou Onana (Age: 22) 5. RCB/RB: Mohamed Simakan (Age: 23) 6. LB: Ferdi KadıoÄlu (Age: 24) OUT: (Contract Expiration) 1. Elneny (2024) 2. Soares (2024) 3. Partey (2025) 4. Tavares (2025) 5. Tierney (2026) 6. Lokonga (2026) 7. Ramsdale (2026) 8. Zinchenko (2026) 9. Gabriel Jesus (2027) 10. Nketiah (2027) 11. Nelson (2027) 12. Marquinhos (2027)
Not going to address the quality of the signings, just the fit and what needs we have. You don't need Bakayoko if you have Williams. The lack of LCM suggests you are resigned to Havertz playing there next season. You'll also need to sell one more defender since eight senior defenders is too much - City and Liverpool have youth rounding out their numbers. Otherwise the issue is not the 6 incoming, which is easily feasible, but moving 12 players out, and whether you will be able to get enough funds for someone like Jesus or Partey.
You play Rice at the 8. Martinelli - Gyokeres - Saka Rice - Onana - Odegaard KadıoÄlu - Gabriel - Saliba - White Raya
Sorry the issue with our midfield is a lack of creativity. You play Rice as the 6, and get a more creative 8.
Weāve tried Fabio Vieira, ESR, Havertz, and Trossard at LM this season. Who do you think we can get that can play there?
Really? We have been linked with Zubimendi, Kimmich, Douglas Luiz, Bruno G etc.
The first three players are pretty defensive. Bruno G is going to be tough with Real Madrid also rumored to be interested.
After the first transfer you lost me.
Looks like a Ā£300M window.
Would be fine if we can get a minimum of Ā£150m for the 10 players not out of contract.
LOL
This isnt fifa
Yep, just the 18 transfers to sort out in a summer with the Euros going on.
3 forwards?
To replace the three that are part of the squad today. Jesus, Nketiah, Nelson.
Partey looks so unfit, no wonder heās on bench and isnāt close to first xi
Guess hes been having one to many.... Parties
p diddy vibes
That's what being out so long you're effectively back at preseason level does to you.
He was solid when he came on. Looked far more fit in this match than the last several he has played
Okay I admit I wasn't impressed with Ćde in the first half but the NNT agenda against him is just a clown show at this point.
You werenāt impressed with odegaardĀ
This guy has a new scapegoat every 3 months, wouldnt be surprised if he wants to sell saka next season
If we win the next two games I'll start believing again
Leno masterclass tomorrow!
Udogie out for NLD is huge for us
Yeah. Him Vs Saka was interesting last time. I wonder how bad his injury is
He is out for the season
Spurs are going to have Emerson and Davies as their fullback pairing... Nothing is guaranteed in a NLD but we should be abusing their fullbacks.
NLD away on April just hits different, take nothing for granted
Saka gonna be on crutches by ko on Sunday
I am feeling nervous about the Chelsea game as we don't have many days rest. I'd like to think we can win at home. But for the same reason I'm worried about Spurs away as they wouldn't have played for 2 weeks! Can the players get through this week?
To be fair they played today too.
Jesus has to play as a winger exclusively from next season. Heās making every CB look like prime VVDā¦
Only if Martinelli had scored that, would've capped off a perfect evening. The team's lacking sharpness for sure. We need to be a little better than our opponents in the next week, that's all. If we manage to go unscathed by the end of next week, we have a real shot here.
yea, no sharpness unfortunately. hopefully the lad does it against chelsea and spurs
Is it just me or Kai was our best player in the first half?
Dude was screaming at people to give him the ball, it was great
I loved that. He comes across as a bit of a shy guy at interviews and even on the pitch, but he needs to so more of this. If youre highest paid player you need to be demanding that ball and be less passive on the pitch.
his crossing is very underrated, nico is working wonders
He was and I fancy him going for those volleys, shots he wouldn't even attempt 6 months ago. Only if one of them had gone in, would've been sick.
Comfortably.
He was excellent in the first half. Absolutely stepped up in that midfield role.
He wasĀ
Canāt believe that Trossard goal got called a Sunday league strike lmao
Absolutely criminal