Boy whoever said we'd have an up and down season was on the money. Glimpses of improvement, dire performances, very little actual progress.We are still a complete mess with no clue as to our best 11 players or formation. Pochettino has been very good in getting things happier, but not in improving Team play. He improved Mudryk, then stopped playing him, such is his dilemma with 4 others sitting on the benches needing equal game time. Definitely not all his fault, the squad was bloated with ridiculously overpriced talented youngsters during Boehlys' obscene spending spree, and only a couple have come good so far .Just far too many players and far too many similar players. Yet despite this, we still have no striker worth 2 bob. Jackson is 2 years and 20 Kgs away, Broja has done absolutely nothing to suggest he's even worth calling a striker. Just unbelievable that a billion was spent but nothing for a decent striker. Pochettino has no experienced players and few real grafters to help settle new players in. He still has key players in rehab, having not kicked a ball ,and just cannot begin to sort his team out until they are all match fit. That's another 2 months minimum. I have been seriously unimpressed by many of his selections, playing good players out of position when not necessary, but he has to be supported until we get everyone fit and playing ,and he can hopefully weed out the "not yet " youngsters"from the "ready to go for it "ones". The big money buys like Fernandez and Caicedo are not looking much good, maybe because the structure of the team keeps changing and they can't get any rhythm going. So Brighton next and we might get another hiding, as they have a well coordinated team and an impressive togetherness. Or............... !!!!! Dare we hope??
I've given up trying to predict what we will do, or how we will perform. Every time I think we might be turning a corner the team ****s the bed and that kind of form leaves us exactly where we belong, in midtable. Given that we might be facing a 30 point deduction later this season, we need to pick up as many points as possible. A 30 point deduction for City at the end of the season and they are likely still in the top 6, given that they will inevitably rack up 90 points plus. Us on the other hand will be lucky to break 50 points at this rate, so a 30 point deduction will see us relegated without question. In short, we need to get our **** together, or its a season in the Championship for us, and as funny as that might sound, its not something I personally want to see happen.
We haven't actually been charged with anything yet have we?? It's all just "secret payment" stuff, emails found under grandmothers bed. I'll worry when and if we get charged.Given the time frame and the fact we self notified, 30points might be a tad too much. I expect Evertons' 10 points to be reduced on appeal too, that was clearly OTT from some muppet being a tough guy. Haven't heard one person who thinks its a fair penalty.
Every game I watch at the minute, which is lot less than it used to be, is just surrounded by poor refereeing. That VAR decision at the end, I know they got the right outcome but how on earth did it become such a mess? Caicedo could’ve been sent off twice for the amount of fouls he made but somehow managed to play the full 90. Game was alright, centre backs played well and probably Mudryks best game for a while too. Draw was probably about right but happy we managed to scrape though especially after the showing with 10 last week.
Brighton looked more composed but we were sharp in attack. Biggest problem we have is lack of football brains, so often we make the wrong decision, don't see the pass, pass too late or too early. Hope that's just experience. One thing we need to work on is helping our own players out by getting into positions so a pass can be made, not letting our runners get isolated or surrounded. Nevertheless a good display apart from brain dead send offs. Two captains off in consecutive weeks is not a good look.
Thought after Brighton game, we could have saved 100 mill and kept Billy Gilmour. He looked better than Enzo and Casiedo in attack and defence !!!
