This explains an awful lot: https://totalfootballanalysis.com/d...tal-impact-at-monaco-data-analysis-statistics It's something I also suggested at times last season; that Man City win everything using far less players and a smaller squad than Newcastle is incredibly telling, and the article basically explains how it's vital to a) use less players, b) increase quality and c) make room for academy prospects regularly to balance the books. For all I've been the most vocal antagonist in this window, this article changes perspective and even some of Chaos' comments make a lot of sense. We need just two players right now. Prices are all wrong, clubs don't deal with us, and there's still a power struggle with Howe - once that's resolved, we'll get a couple of decent names in and push on.
They can't get rid of some players because other clubs don't want them and others won't leave for less wages. It'll all be just dandy in a year or 2.. right on course for the FIVE to TEN year plan.
From the article I posted: "In the three seasons prior to Mitchell’s arrival, Monaco made 11, 14 and 12 permanent signings in each respective season. This equates to 37 signings over three seasons and a whopping €468.25m splashed on new players in that time. Under Mitchell, the number of signings significantly dropped. It was all about quality over quantity and the systems they’d put in place in terms of their recruitment as previously discussed helped ensure they managed to get as much quality as possible into the club without needing to sign in bulk and hope some would come good." I feel enlightened!
You always find out who to trust when the chips are down. Some give it the biggun and talk about positivity when life's good but when the tin opener goes missing or their football team loses that's when the weak men are exposed.
Final quote: "Intelligent recruitment, a clear strategy and vision, good planning and organisation have been key to achieving this, as has Mitchell’s famous work ethic, I’m sure. Wherever the Mancunian sporting director goes next, he comes with a proven track record of success and experience of delivering when the chips are down, which is surely going to be exciting and invigorating for his next club."
But I thought you were also one of those blaming Howe for injuries & fatigue by overusing a small group of players and not rotating / utilising the full squad enough. No? Apologies if I got that wrong though.
One of the interesting points that can be made is of everyone who's moved this Summer, who - Olise aside, who is a fantastic player - did we miss out on, as such? We have to factor in how much we really know, who the competition is (i.e. Chiesa/Liverpool), the price, etc. Hands up, I struggle to name one aside from probably Minteh moving on, which is the biggest shame.
Yeah, I blamed Howe, but also appreciate he didn't know what he didn't know. But I blamed him for some of it because he played the same XI come hell or high water, regardless of form, and overlooked the likes of Livramento, Hall, and others. He played people in an over-zealous press, and didn't rotate with any effectiveness. He would play the same players who looked knackered on a Sunday in a midweek CL game then again on the weekend, then looked distraught that we got injuries. Man City do it because they play possession football, because they have some of the best and can swap a few without disrupting the quality. We're not that level, of course, but there needs to be shifts in Howe's approach and how draining it is - he was very naive too much of the time.
The best thing about all this lads is that there's football on all weekend. Newcastle have a really good opportunity in Sunday and all this will simply go away.
In fairness Newcastle have been doing that before Mitchell arrived with Minteh the stand out so far, the jury is still out on his ability, we'll know soon enough and hopefully Newcastle have some comeback if he does come good.
He has learned this season. Bournemouth - made the right changes at the right time and we played well. Forest - the changes at the right time worked.
I try to eat green beans ... tbh beans are something I can't be arsed with. I've been training on a 190lb aqua bag every morning.... keeping fit for my age without beans.
I stopped eating it mate...I now have spiced porridge with homemade apple sauce cinnamon crushed almonds and walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup Only twice a week. I don't eat breakfast... 2 meals a day that's it
Notice Brighton have sold Gilmour for £50m. It's how they keep doing it. Chelsea but without the batshit insanity. I think our aspirations, in keeping several players worth £100m, are higher.
