Rival watch

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I haven't been keeping up with other matches, particularly what happened on Sunday after our debacle. In fact I've only just read that Brighton might have had a penalty in their gave v PenUnited. Didn't see it on MOTD2 so not sure, but might I hazard a guess it was the sort of incident that if PenUnited had been attacking, they would have been awarded it? Seems the penalties work both ways, PenUnited get them and teams playing against PenUnited don't. Anybody want to start a bingo/lottery on what minute they'll get a penalty against us on Sunday?

They can have one after 30 seconds again - if it results in the same outcomes as the one at OT did!
 
I haven't been keeping up with other matches, particularly what happened on Sunday after our debacle. In fact I've only just read that Brighton might have had a penalty in their gave v PenUnited. Didn't see it on MOTD2 so not sure, but might I hazard a guess it was the sort of incident that if PenUnited had been attacking, they would have been awarded it? Seems the penalties work both ways, PenUnited get them and teams playing against PenUnited don't. Anybody want to start a bingo/lottery on what minute they'll get a penalty against us on Sunday?

Bruno Fernandes was awarded a penalty last night for an incident that was far less obvious than Maguire on Welbeck.

The inconsistency (bias) is pathetic.
 
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Another penalty for Penited.
Scored by Bruno Penandes.
Anyone who thinks it wasn't a penalty needs their bumps feeling.

Slavia Prague equalise in the last minute!
Are you being serious or just on the wum? Penandes walked into an outstretched hand and immediately threw himself to the floor, it was a nothing incident and a complete accident, the kind that we see several times during almost every game and nothing is given (unless you are Penited or Varpool of course). Obviously, the referee could not wait to give it.
 
So chaps, who do we think will get the boot first - Mourinho or Arteta?

Wouldn't be surprised if both are gone in the summer.

For them to stay, Jose needs top four and probably even to do City in the final, top six and the trophy might just be enough though. Arteta needs to win Europa as I doubt top four is attainable for you now.

Both likely fail.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if both are gone in the summer.

For them to stay, Jose needs top four and probably even to do City in the final, top six and the trophy might just be enough though. Arteta needs to win Europa as I doubt top four is attainable for you now.

Both likely fail.

I don't think Arteta necessarily needs to win the Europa, but he's needed to show consistent improvement in the team and display that he's been learning from his mistakes.

He's not done either of those things.

If the underlying metrics showed that there had been improvement, then I think we'd be more inclined to let him have a bit more time. This isn't the case, sadly.

There are no redeemable features of his management and that's why I think he'll be under pressure soon, if he isn't already.
 
I don't think Arteta necessarily needs to win the Europa, but he's needed to show consistent improvement in the team and display that he's been learning from his mistakes.

He's not done either of those things.

If the underlying metrics showed that there had been improvement, then I think we'd be more inclined to let him have a bit more time. This isn't the case, sadly.

There are no redeemable features of his management and that's why I think he'll be under pressure soon, if he isn't already.

Personally I don't see how you lot could stick with a manager that doesn't get you any European football for next season, whether that be via the league or winning the trophy. It only makes his - or his successor's - job even harder next season to meet objectives.

It's the same for us, if Jose fails to get top six and doesn't win the League Cup it's hard to see how he can stay.
 
Personally I don't see how you lot could stick with a manager that doesn't get you any European football for next season, whether that be via the league or winning the trophy. It only makes his - or his successor's - job even harder next season to meet objectives.

It's the same for us, if Jose fails to get top six and doesn't win the League Cup it's hard to see how he can stay.

I personally am inclined to agree with you, but I think the difference is that the club have a lot of faith in Arteta and have an unwavering belief he'll come good eventually. It's viewed as a case of taking a few steps backward in order to move forward. I've got no idea whether Arteta is capable of overseeing a job like this. But the signs aren't promising and at what point do you keep overlooking appalling results and displays?

Based on our summer transfer activity, albeit impacted by Covid, I don't think there was any realistic expectation to finish in the top-4. We are probably performing worse than the hierarchy expected, but unusually, the management seem to be siding with the manager, rather than the players. They'd rather rip up the whole squad, than get rid of Arteta.

Do I think this is the right thing to do? I don't know. But ultimately, it's their jobs which are on the line. So they'd better have a clear plan of what they're doing here.
 
Bad news for Pochettino, as one of our supposed goalkeeping targets, Mike Maignan, saves a Metz penalty:
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Lille currently lead 1-0 which would put them six points clear of PSG in 2nd. Monaco and Lyon are in 3rd and 4th with a point less per place.
 
Bad news for Pochettino, as one of our supposed goalkeeping targets, Mike Maignan, saves a Metz penalty:
You must log in or register to see media

Lille currently lead 1-0 which would put them six points clear of PSG in 2nd. Monaco and Lyon are in 3rd and 4th with a point less per place.
Deserved to have it saved after that runup

...walkup