I think they have to accept they're already in one. The downward spiral of results will see that gap close very quickly now.
It is a horrific run. The big issue is IF you sack him who do you turn to? It's way too big a job for Mason and lot don't look like the type to scrap their way out of a relegation situation. Am interesting month coming up I suspect...
Have to preface anything with saying that Ange was outthought and the majority of our players were simply outfought tonight. Spence, and Bergvall maybe can look themselves in the mirror, Gray continues to look outrageously comfortable at CB, and Solanke works damn hard for very little reward. Apart from that it’s slim pickings. Maddison helped a lot in the second half and maybe if we’d been a little braver and started with him, we might have found a bit more joy in getting out of their press in the first half. But I really don’t think they’re great shakes at the moment. Out of possession they’re phenomenal and they had us absolutely cooked, particularly in the first half. But the only time I was remotely worried about one of their chances was when Trossard scored. We handled their corner threat very comfortably, ironically apart from the one corner that shouldn’t have been given. They just squeezed us out of the game and we didn’t have the head or heart to overcome it for too long. Ange bears blame for the situation he’s in but he’s also hamstrung by those above him.
Even the most optimistic of people like myself feel we are already in one. Lose on Sunday and I think the bald one will pull that trigger again....
I wouldn’t be surprised if the lack of available replacement is partly what’s keeping him in a job. Albeit if I had the reigns I’d pay whatever Iraola’s release clause is. I think we’re in need of a Pochettino and seeing as we can’t get the actual Poch, Iraola is looking like a potential clone.
I admire and even envy the optimists of the world because I’d love to see where it stems from at present lol. As for Levy and the trigger, frankly I’m very surprised it hasn’t been pulled sooner based on his history. I’d love to know what it is that’s making the board act differently. Poch, Conte and Jose were all sacked in better positions in the league IIRC.
It's pretty obvious we have no real intent to invest this month. The plan is to sit and wait for the injured players to return and then hope for the best. Hope for the best more or less sums us up as a club tbh. I don't think Levy pulls the trigger until after the window closes tbh, as that will absolve him from having to spend to support a new manager. I originally said a decision would be made after the semi-final and I stand by that. If come mid-Feb we're in a final and still in Europe, I think he'll be allowed to see out the season, even if we lose to Villa in the FAC.
There’s a lot of individual talent in the team, but they don’t seem to function as a team. There are some weaknesses in key areas at present - notably in defence (with some mitigation) and central midfield. There are times when the players are quite passive as if they don’t have the confidence or will to tackle the task in front of them. Moments of individual brilliance only carry you so far. With a following wind (because the opposition are in an even worse place at the time or the team gets comfortably in front), they play well, but when the going gets tough when the opposition exert pressure, they fold. This is pretty much what I’ve posted about Utd in recent times; it applies to Spurs too.
This was an exact reason to my thinking when I predicted pretty much since the start of the season that late Jan/ Feb would be when the trigger gets pulled. Cheaper option, as per. I’m just finding it surprising at how bad they’re allowing us to get just to avoid spending this window.
As soon as there is any aggressive closing down or tackling Tottenham fold. I've said a few times that I believe there is simply no real leader out there, especially in the middle and it shows. The transfer business does feel like the bald one is not overly committed to the Ange project, but who knows. I just suspect that only winning a trophy will let Ange survive in the summer...
They only function as a team when at least one of Romero or Mickey Van is in defence, as the CBs have far too big a role in our buildup play - and we've actively made it worse by regularly playing a more defence-minded midfield three in their absence so that we have a lack of progressive passing in midfield The obvious question is how to fix that issue, because for example the Maddison/Sarr/Bissouma trio that was our regular midfield last season likely won't do it, as at least two of them are utterly knackered right now yet Bergvall is the only option we have due to Bentancur being ruled out with a concussion and Gray pressganged into playing CB, which means the only other options are in our Academy
You joke but our chairman will be licking his lips at the prospect of a free replacement should he bin Ange. ****, come to think of it, seeing as we’re practically in a relegation scrap, maybe Dyche becomes a bit more appealing!
please log in to view this image That's just appalling, regardless of who we're missing. Plenty of games in there with "controversial" decisions, though.
