The end of season awards aren't something I look out for or have any interest in, if I see them, I see them, if I don't, I don't. Today I heard that the Ipswich manager got LMA award. I have no idea whether that's considered a good choice or not, Emery apparently was on the list too but what caught my attention was that Dyche was also on the list. Avoiding relegation is now seen as award worthy? It's not like he did anything special. The four teams below them can take credit for that.
In fairness evert9n were absolutely dire early on but duch was in for the full period so I fail to see how fixing his own issues merits the award. That being said there defence was good amd they easily over came a 10 reduced to 6 and 2 point added deduction. Add 8 to 40 and they might be good for 11th or 12th in the table. Its hardly lma territory but I am assuming they are making a political point about points deductions here.
It's expectation versus achievement rather than just achievement. Everton have a poor squad that's been threaten by relegation for a few years and they had a points deduction too yet survived with comfort so he's done well really. However, I'd argue that the five teams below them were just worse rather than Everton being better
Amazing that arteta was on that list. Shortlisting cos he came 2nd? Ipswich manager makes sense getting back to back promotion. even the Crawley manager - they were favs to get relegated from league 2 but went up via the playoffs playing brilliant football. Those are the managers that should get recognition, not someone that’s spent 500m over last 3 seasons and finished 2nd twice.
Absolutely dire team so imo it has to be political. Picking a championship manager who didn't win their league as well.
Oh, I didn't think about Ipswich not winning the league. Makes it look more political, as you say. I'm not really bothered about motm, end of season awards etc. but something else is at play here. In the days when my lads played competitive basketball, the one award that they never wanted was 'most improved player'. I think their (and my) philosophy is award excellence.
In ye olden days each league had its own manager of the year. Are the going to entertain a player of the year with say foden or some league 2 top scorer too?
I think it's the LMA manager of the year which is different to each league's own awards. The PL manager will be Guardiola.
Who do we want to win? Alonso is a former player we love and it would be great to call off a phenomenal session by winning this. Atalanta winning would mean we went out to the winners
I'm conflicted. I tried out that stream again that I posted to see if it was working tonight, the last 5 minutes Leverkusen throwing themselves and flopping all over the place. Can't say I've watched them before so wasn't expecting that and I don't like that approach.
Getting eerie vibes of our 3-0 defeat to them in this game so far. I think Alonso has done the classic Pep trait of overthinking this.
Leverkusen have had a habit in this competition of winning it in the 97th minute so anything is possible.