That is the clearest shot I have seen of that and last season, had it been noted, would probably have been a red card because Pogba’s foot goes over the ball. Probably should have been one this season too, truth be told.
We’ve got West Ham next, another team who have bullied us in recent years, especially their forwards against our defence. Time for us to stand up.
Yeah it didn't look a foul when watching live. From the camera shot behind Pogba, there appeared to be daylight between Pogba and Neves.
I didn’t think it was a foul, when watching live, but he definitely did catch Neves shin pad with his studs and his foot was definitely over the ball. May not have been a reckless challenge but it was high.
The important difference between last week's tackle, and this week's tackle, is that last week, it was ON a Man U player, and this week, it was BY a Man U player. Or am I unduly cynical about Ole's perception of what is acceptable?
Correct, and last week sky ran with it all week should it been awarded a foul? This week? After tomorrow not a murmur I reckon.
I’m genuinely worried for Leeds this season. There are other teams I would prefer to see go down but they aren’t looking right and very little has changed. Recruitment has been poor, pre season was awful and they look a shadow of the side from last season. No verve or drive. They need a lift.
Oh, yeah I don't give a crap about them on the days they play Saints. They got 6 points they got out of us last season so it'll be a good chance to see if we can improve on our 2019 performances.
I hadn’t focused on their recruitment but they seem to have spent 24m to pretty much stay still - replace their departing left back and retain their loan signing from Man City
Also, Bielsa is in uncharted territory here as he's never spent this amount of time at a club. I didn't buy into the burnout concerns over the course of a season but I do wonder whether he can push his sides as hard as he does consistently for season after season without losing them and whether he is able to vary his approach from the Bielsa model enough to refresh players. They seem to be suffering from the lack of depth which plagued us last season already. There's not much on the bench to draw from.
I’d never realised this was his longest club spell. I wouldn’t mind seeing them humbled a bit as there was so much smoke blown up their backsides last year. Almost like another West Ham But the next couple of days will be interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if multiples clubs make lots of signings Everton seem to want 3 or 4 with their fans howling for depth. Palace seem like they have been linked with two strikers on top of just getting Hughes and might still get more. West Ham has there usual seemingly infinite resources out of nowhere despite seemingly never having to sell anyone for a profit (and again cries of depth) Minamino seems to trend daily at the moment due to Liverpool fans decrying their lack of depth up front There could be lots to come Could be one of the most active deadline days in a long time - mainly in terms of volume as opposed to necessarily big value
Aston Villa are at it again. Apparently going to bid 15m for Curtis Jones from Liverpool - 4 years left on his contract and valued at 27m by transfermarkt (which generally values players at less than they go for) I’m not certain what they are playing at and am surprised they have managed to sign anyone this summer I guess Jones will be signing a bumper pay increase as part of a new 5 year deal pretty soon ...
I remember Ferguson said that every team should make 3 or more signings for the first team every year just to freshen things up/keep existing players on their toes. Leeds so far have made one signing. I said before the season started that they were my dark horses to go down. Last season in my view was very much a case of first season back and them being well up for it and over achieving. We aren’t exactly great but in a player for player comparison there are only 4 Leeds players I would definitely take over our option in the same position (Meslier, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha). They really aren’t a good side on paper and it was all their style of play that won them points last season. They only had 1 shot on target that I counted against Burnley yesterday, the goal. Good teams dominate against Burnley, albeit finding them hard to break down. I think they are in trouble this year I also hate Leeds with a passion so could also be chatting complete ****
I’d say Firpo is borderline. Comparing to our new guy - yes (since it seems we wanted Firpo). But compared to KWP in that position I’d say it is closer You wouldn’t have Bamford over Che? What they might have in their favour is the crowds being back? But it could be double edged. They did well last season and the crowds might expect that and start to turn like the Newcastle one Against better sides than us Newcastle will melt under that crowd (and it could happen to Leeds). But perhaps part of the reason they were turning is because it was us dominating them as the away side
