I'm assuming the Bottlers are saying they're joint second right now, what with second and third being separating by goals scored...?
The strength of the PL is such that apart from the CL group stages (where strongest starting XIs must usually be played for at least 4 games) , some squad rotation can be done without interfering with the PL campaign (EL "air miles" is another story) . The problem for these teams is if they reach the JO stages. The further you get, the larger the overlap with the business end of the PL season. This IMHO is where squad depth will be found wanting.
Waiting to watch Marseille v Lyon. On hold. Game held up because fans attacked visiting players coach injuring manager and assistant. Oops! Match postponed now..Oh well.......!!
Postecoglou came into a stable environment?! Micah Richards is being generous to Jonny Evans, too. Evans is slightly older than him...
Utd are woeful. Gone backwards under ten Hag, who has made the team worse, although that barely seemed possible, despite spending a fortune. There is no structure the team, clear formation or style of play. The players seem to lack commitment, purpose or motivation. There are some good players when judged individually, but they clearly don’t fit together as a team. Transfer policy has been laughable. It’s hard to imagine how any of his signings fit the profile of the players Utd need to compete for trophies. Some have been top players elsewhere, but were signed when past their best and cannot deliver often enough. Some seem to be no more than players he’s worked with before - as if that was a necessary criterion . The club has paid over the odds for all of them (either fees or wages or both). It’s about as dysfunctional as it could possibly be at present. Thank God I was driving 520 miles to Portsmouth and back today and missed it all. And England’s woeful batting v India.
Far be it of me to waste any concerns over the Manchester clubs, but the fat fecker in the white t shirt appears to be about to launch a coin at Haaland. I presume he will be identified. The suitable punishment may well be forcing him to attend every United home game
We have nobody with captain potential in the squad which is a massive come down from Fergie days when every player on the team was a captain.
Fair point, I should have clarified that as there are a few contenders Fernandez was my specific example
this is the thing though. You could argue that Newcastle and Brighton don’t have the strength in depth (as it’s newcastles first season with European football in years, and Brighton’s first ever.) so whilst it may only be the start of the season, and we’ve not reached the busy Christmas period, the air miles + the wait for the January transfer window could actually make the next couple of months particularly tricky for those sides in particular, long before any KO stage.
I don’t know how the general Utd fanbase feel about him but I think he’s looking way out of his depth. I don’t think he’s made a single successful signing despite a few of them even being ones he’s worked with before (and how he utilises Eriksen as a CM and not a number 10 is criminal), his style of play is non-existent and he’s got the personality of a sewage drain. There were rumours we rejected him in during the interview phase a few years back because his communication skills were poor and he lacked charisma, originally the article wasn’t taken seriously by Spurs fans but I’m thinking now it was 100% accurate. I’ll be surprised if he lasts the season with you, from a rival fan’s perspective though I hope he does!
I hate to defend the diving rat, but I wouldn't call him workshy. He's knackered, as they've run him into the ground, despite having plenty of cover for him. Probably the only player they've got that could push for a place in City's team, though. Wouldn't make it, but he'd get time from their bench.
He's a skillful player alright, but not leadership material and is an arm-waver, moaner when things don't go his way, rather than getting his head down. Not someone I would build a team ethos around for sure
Danny Drinkwater has retired from football age 33 after being released on a free by Chelsea , another player who's career stagnated by moving to a money club ,took the money but in the long run shortened his career
Oh, he's an absolutely terrible choice for a captain, no doubt. I pointed out how appropriate he was when they picked him. I've honestly no idea why they thought it would be a good idea. Son was a bit of an odd one for us, though it appears to be working out. Fernandes' personality is like the anti-Son, though. Fantastic talent, but he's negativity personified.
