True, but forgetting bale, there were a lot of other improvements towards the end, when compared with the start. Besides... Andros is about to do the same!
Why are we discussing sacking a manager who has followed our record points total with our best ever start despite the fact that he has lost our three best players over that time. Look at Ferguson's record in his first three seasons and compare.
Everyone jokes about Benitez, but I reckon he'd get you in to the CL, and more importantly, he'd actually get you to the business end of the CL competition, not just the groups.
Exactly right. But recognizing this is not inconsistent with wishing the team played more fluent attacking football. I just don't understand people who want to change the manager because of the style, when it's pretty clear both that the style is a work in progress (after all, we've just lost our best attacking player and have brought in several replacements who are yet to settle) and that results remain pretty good
"Do we think Levy is unhappy with AVB? I very much doubt it." I guarantee you that Levy doesn't care what the points total (or stats) shows. As long as a CL slot is achieved. But the margin of failure is as fine as one point. And with 100m odd of talent acquired, there surely will be a reckoning if the same has happened come May.
Come May! I agree but being in 2nd gear and finding our shoes let alone feet and sitting 3 points off the top will do for now because if we are unhappy then we won't ever be happy unless we win every match.
"I agree but being in 2nd gear and finding our shoes let alone feet and sitting 3 points off the top will do for now because if we are unhappy then we won't ever be happy unless we win every match." Actually IMHO we are still on a rollercoaster ride. Just a very different type of rollercoaster. The ride now is about our rivals doing well each week, and the pressure to keep pace. I said the other day it may be what the squad need to drive them on to a CL slot. But as a supporter I am not coping with it well at all. <irony>
We have some tough games coming up, see where we are after this lot Everton V Tottenham Tottenham V Newcastle Man City V Tottenham Tottenham V Man Utd If we are still within 5 points of the lead by then, then we can be quite optimistic. Luckily Arsenal have some tough games too Arsenal V Liverpool Man Utd V Arsenal Arsenal V Southampton Cardiff V Arsenal plus Borussia Dortmund V Arsenal in the middle
At worst one of those games could involve facing the bus. It will be a good test of how the players can play when things are open and the opposition are in their faces all over the pitch.
Maybe that's what we need every week a pressure from outside...be it our rivals constantly winning or trying to find a way through a parked bus because from my knowledge we end up losing in matches we enter in over confidence. Primark sell good underwear for a reasonable price. 6 pairs for about a fiver..I've invested in a couple of sets. I think the rest of you ought to as we'll.
"Primark sell good underwear for a reasonable price." More a case of suffering perforated ulcers than loss of control of excretory functions.
"Bonjela is your friend." So if I swallow a sh-tload of Bonjela, no way can Spurs cause duodenal ulcers this season ??
I make it that Arsenal will score 5pts more than us, taking them to 8pts clear. They will need to lose Giroud for me to change my mind, though if Flamini is out that will help.
Agreed, that's why I stuck him in there. He isn't everyones cup of tea personally, but the football he plays is both tacticaly sound and interesting to watch. He gets results in big games, rotates the squad effectively and wins trophies. And we don't have Stevie G for him to stick out on the right of a 4-4-2, or Dirk Kyte to play week in week out!
As much as I dislike part of AVB's management, it is ridiculous we're even discussing potential managers considering the position we're actually in. But if Avb hasn't earnt the respect of the fans then will he ever? Normally managers start off respected and then lose respect. With Avb, he seems to be on a constant battle to win over the fans.
How ridiculous is this thread? We've just gone 4th in the league, where we want to be, and we're discussing what to do if we don't finish in the top 4? Surely the only reason people can have to be negative at the moment is in the style of football we played and if that's the case you're not going to enjoy Benitez's defensive tactics and mad substitutions any more.
I think both you and Arsenal will get less points from those fixtures than you've forecasted. The size of the task at hand for Arsenal is huge. They can't afford to lose in Dortmund.
Personally think that between 1 and 2 is the right move The only way I would even look at replacement would be if 8 turned out to be Jurgen Klopp from Dortmund
