I think something may have happened around the set-pieces, purely because of what he said. I'll have to try and find the interview to see how he comes across, though. I don't think that tonight's performance was about it, if it did happen. The start of the second half was a dramatic improvement and I don't think that would've happened. The subs ****ed it up and I can't see Sunday being any better, either. If Maddison's still not up to it (and he doesn't appear to be) then Lo Celso should start. Kulusevski had a ****ing mare. Probably hasn't had much sleep, either.
It also doesn't help that there are at least half a dozen members of the current senior squad who pretty much know they have no future at the club. Three were in the starting line up and the other three of them were on the pitch come full time, so while I admit that team selection stops at Ange, it highlights my point.
I suspect that the atmosphere's going to be pretty terrible next Saturday against Burnley. There's going to be a ton of **** about Postecoglou between now and then.
The most frustrating thing is it’s not like we’re losing games because we’re trying things and getting caught out. There’s just a dismal lack of ambition in the final 3rd and nobody seems willing to actually make anything happen. Black and white compared to the start of the season which makes it even more weird. We’re limping to the end of the season. I hate watching it and I’m even more annoyed because it makes no sense.
I can’t have sympathy for him when he’s shown complete neglect of our youth. He’s tried fitting square pegs in round holes for months meanwhile our 23s are top of the league and have a number of standout performers who’d kill for a chance in the first team. If you’re top of the league and not getting chances, then when will you ever? I’m almost certain we’ll lose one or two within the next 6-12 months, my money would be on Santiago being one of them. Wouldn’t be completely shocked if Donley hits the club with a request too.
It’s definitely a weird dynamic. Especially when some of our better performers this year have been younger players - notably Sarr and Udogie. It’s not like youth and inexperience aren’t something Ange can’t get over.
I wonder if he's been told from upstairs that certain players have to get minutes in order to make them easier to sell?
It’s pissing me off if I’m honest. I could understand if we were flying to the point where breaking into the first team was extremely difficult but we’ve got a ton of players out of form and a ton of players who are outright dogshit. If I’m a youth player at the club, I’m thinking “the **** am I doing here?!”.
Yes and no. I don't think the fringe players have been any worse than the regulars in recent months. And you definitely have a much stronger bargaining position if you can point to a player and legitimately pretend that they are "important". But still, I sincerely hope it isn't true.
That can never be true. The minute a manager is forced to choose certain players for those reasons is the minute most managers walk.
Agreed. I'm grasping at straws here. It just wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Levy has had a word or two in his ear about this. In an ideal world, we'll shift around a dozen players this summer, many of whom have been in the squad all season. With most of Europe broke, it's going to be bloody difficult.
With the exceptions of van de Ven, Udogie and Sarr, mainly due to their ages, I don’t think there’s a player at the club, fringe or key, whose value would be deemed more than what we paid for them. We’re making losses on Richarlison, Emerson, Lo Celso and Gil that’s for sure. If players like Bissouma and Kulusevski also become sellable, we at best will get our money back.
This isn't about profits and losses imo. This is recognising the fact that most of Europe has very little money to spare, and we cannot afford to continue this ridiculous routine of sending out dozens of players on no-obligation loans for years on end. We need permanent deals for at least 10-12 players and I personally think we'll accept the highest bid whatever it may be.
