I personally think there’s issues off field at the minute. Ashworth ****ing off. Joelinton seemingly wanting away. The players looking completely off. Trippier going through a strange phase. Botman looks a shadow off himself. All the injuries. Just odd.
If we lose against Wolves, i think a change in management may be necessary I think. If we wish to keep any of these players and avoid doing a leicester, we need stability immediately. We need a good end to the season to convince everyone there is a way forward. Part of me is concerned that the owners will lose interest in investment now they've managed to get the club to such heights so soon enough to use it for whatever they needed to use it for, and then it will be another reign like mike ashley of stagnation.
There's felt like there is something bubbling away since exiting the CL. I think there may have been some harsh words after the Milan game and some of the relationships are a bit strained after that.
Ha, I just said exactly that. The Milan game was a ****ing disaster and I’ll bet more than a few haven’t gotten past that. I’d have expected a reaction in the league after such a shambolic result when we had it all to gain and chucked the lot in the bin. We didn’t get one and plodded into an awful run of results, resulting in Ashworth deciding to jack it in. My moneys on a lot of scrutiny over Staveley who would have staked her reputation on the Howe/Ashworth dream team. Even Eales has gone quite curt. All is far from rosy.
Plus the players brought in thought the club was a big project. I don't think those players will have been thinking they'd be playing next to longstaff and losing to luton.
Telegraph/Edwards seem utterly convinced that Howes job isn’t up for discussion at all. Similarly I’m convinced that our key decision makers suffer from the same “I’m sure it’ll work itself out over time” approach as the manager.
Someone made the point earlier that Howe still is probably ahead of where we expected when taking over having over achieved in his first 2 full seasons here: 1st - Howe came in and steered clear of trouble comfortably 2nd - Qualified CL with a half decent squad and made a Cup final 3rd - Group of death and still top half and in the FA Cup - if he makes Europe somehow he's probably safe. Going forwards is probably: 4th - European Qualification minimum 5th - (+ onward) CL or bust. Probably has credit in the bank to get to the end of the season but I'd be looking at options now if I was the owners.
Villa reporting losses of £119m for May 2023... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68476722 Any chance of them being deducted points? Apparently made a profit of £400k the season before but made losses during the pandemic... "Villa's loss of £119.6m for the season comes on the back of a small £400,000 profit that was recorded the year before, and the averaged two-year, pandemic-impacted 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial periods where the club lost some £68m before tax" Surley that's a breach?
6th will be nice right now, 7th will get us into Europe. Wolves ain't getting 7th, and West Ham and Brighton are erratic. We have a decent chance.
Nah, by the time they calculate associated costs such as infrastructure, training ground, academy, womens team etc I'm going to guess that will come right down for FFP calculations.
Think 6th is still on to be honest: Man U (6th - 4 points ahead) still have Liverpool and Arsenal to play this season along with ourselves. West Ham (7th - 2 points ahead) have all of the rest of the "top 8" to play and Europe to contend with. NUFC (8th) Spurs, Man U and West Ham to play of those above us, probably out of the Cup as well so only 12 games left before May Brighton (9th - 1 point behind) have the top 4 to play and Europe to contend with Our run is is massively favorable considering the extra games most have.
Said 6th at the start of the season... still reckon it's a strong possibility, despite the challenges.
Same. Willock back has changed a lot. Barnes at least gives options. Pope, Krafth and Targett all returning gives some depth. And with only one cup game left and another long break coming up, plus a reasonably easy run in, I think maybe 6th is right and probably on plan. Spurs & Villa have just too much about them this season, but Man U are really poor (but won't make any changes til the Summer) and West Ham have distractions.
Our run in is similar to man utd and chelsea's now. Brighton will be well out of it. West Ham still got Spurs, Villa, Newcastle, City, Liverpool and Chelsea to play. Our toughest games are Chelsea and United. We still get to play Brighton and West Ham at home. Our game against West Ham is the most crucial I'd say in determining a top 7 finish.
Just did chronicles premier league predictor - 1 Liverpool 94 2 Man City 91 3 Arsenal 87 4 Aston Villa 77 5 Tottenham 75 6 Newcastle 68 7 Man Utd 68 8 West Ham 55
