Running around like lunatics would certainly please our fans. In fact plenty of them would probably like Jackie Charlton as manager.
An Italian who coaches patient, possession football built on a solid defense? I can hear the 'supporters' now
Hasn't really shown it this season. Certainly not for 90 minutes. Goes missing in defence at least once a game.
Been a while since you watched Italian football, I presume? The number of goals scored per game has increased dramatically...the highest it has been since 1958-59, in fact, and more than have been scored in the Premier League in decades. If you're looking for slow, defensive-minded football, you're looking in entirely the wrong place*. Edit: for kicks, the top five European leagues by goals/game this season. La Liga: 2.94. Serie A: 2.92. Bundesliga: 2.87. Premier League: 2.80. Ligue 1: 2.61. *The right place to look, not shockingly, is where we looked and found a manager who favoured slow, defensive-minded football.
Hmm I'd have to completely disagree with this. He has had a very good season and shown here is a good player both offensively and defensively. Several pundits have talked about him as being in their team of the season and I'm not surprised, alongside Marcos Alonso he has probably been the best left (wing) back in the division this season.
Yeah, I knew someone would trot these stats out. It's been a while since the days of 0-0 1-0 0-0 being the Seria A scores. The style of football hasn't changed that much - most teams just don't defend as well. Did you see the Milan Derbies? And how many goals have Juve conceded on their way to the CL final?
Juve is Juve, and it's doubtful that if we were to target an Italian manager that it would be Allegri. It's definitely not just that the defenses have suddenly become putrid, though. Bombing fullbacks are all the rage at the moment, but as often in a defensive four than as wingbacks...poor Joe Hart has had to deal with the fact that his right back can generally be spotted leading the line, but Torino also bangs them in. Fiorentina's defense is compromised by the fact that Sousa's nominal defenders are generally everywhere but defense. Napoli's gameplan is basically to score three before someone does them on the counter. Things have changed.
Don't think it's the primary difference. Even Juve, who as Archers mentioned has been particularly stingy in CL, has shipped more goals this year than they have since returning to the top (while still only being scored against once a month or thereabouts). Doesn't always seem it when we're stringing together 0-0s, but football in general has become more attack-minded. Italy lagged behind for some time, but apparently opted to catch up in a couple seasons. If current trends hold they'll be playing 1-1-8 by next March. Even Ligue 1, despite being the most goal-shy of the top five, is inching up in most years.
2 out of 10 means unlikely to me. I still think VVD may stay...If only because of his long injury. Best price would be after another good season and I think we are owed another season.
I still think VVD may stay...If only because of his long injury. Best price would be after another good season and I think we are owed another season. ___________________________________ We are indeed. And with him here, there's a great piece of stability to add to. We need to figure out whats going on with CP first and foremost, for if he has a failing relationship with our 'big players', then there's no point in talking till he has our backing or sacking. What would be highly frustrating is if Les allowed players to leave, then pulled the trigger.
Let,s hope it is an outlier and we are back to the norm next season Be glad to be home tomorrow...my fingers are too fat for my friend,s tablet.
It's a shame that beefy seems to think catergorically that Puels time is up, i'd like to see him another season! I think he has earned that! So what if the stadium half full, should he start well that would suddenly change. I also think that we have a proffesional enough squad that a culling of a couple of players namely bertrand and tadic could be better for the changing room. Just my thoughts.
I agree, clubs our size have always struggled juggling league and European commitments. If we get decent funds from a takeover, we can keep our better players for a change AND add quality to the squad. Puel should be judged at Christmas in my opinion.
