Niall1905

Always fun having a scroll on this place after a bad performance! Wasn’t vintage was it? But I couldn’t care less! Couldnt help but smile a bit when CHO scored, glad he’s doing well. Don’t even have to feel bad for it now we’ve won it too! Special mention to the 3 goalscorers, each divide opinion on here and amongst fans in general! Hope it hasn’t pissed on too many cornflakes and some can still enjoy their evening! 😉😂

I said the same after the Everton win, that he seemed strangely on edge when asked about his job security. I think the only other explanation is that he is fed up of the constant questioning about an end of season review and is trying to remind the media (and the board) that his fate is in his hands to an extent.

I think it would be the type of signing that would appeal to Newcastle, but I don't see him entertaining going that far north.

The below is pretty damning. Although, considering how far ahead of everyone you are, it feels like the media have only every made a story out of Newcastle and United's woes. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/arsenal-10th-man-utd-4th-where-do-clubs-rank-in-the-premier-league-injury-table-this-season-/view/news/437159

Its quite funny that email traffic is being used as a metric for productivity in this 'experiment' he conducted. Especially as through my own experience, work emails are often ways to procrastinate or be seen to be busy when you're really not. Got awful vibes from him when he was in the picture for taking us over, like a mix of Mike Ashley and Alan Partridge.

I get the point you are trying to make, but installing a spirit, identity and system is definitely affected by lots of injuries. How are players meant to get used to a system and players around them if either they or the other players are out for weeks and months at a time? And I would argue that despite the injury situation, one thing he has been able to do is install a team spirit, and the identity and system are begining to show. Yes it COULD have been quicker. But look who is around us points wise. A spurs side tipped for the title in the early months of the season, a newcastle side still trying to kick on under new ownership and United (who are sh*te but should arguably be on about half of the points we are). We've made a cup final, a semi final and still have a somewhat realistic chance of a half decent European place for next year. There is a world that isn't a million miles away where Villa and Liverpool fall down to a similar level to where we are next year (Villa with Europe distraction and Pool with a sh*te manager) and we have a solid foundation to build on for the first time since Tuchel left to potentially be one of the teams to replace them. I don't believe Poch is the man to win us the league, i doubt he is the man to win a cup at all. But where we are right now, we just need to be back in the top 4, sorting out the squad mess the owners have put us in and getting to point where we can begin to compete. So my question to anyone who thinks that Poch should go, is not why, but who replaces him. If even one name can be provided that is both realistic and a guarenteed upgrade on Poch, then im all for it. But if there are any doubts that the name cannot at least match what we have done this season, then whats the point?

So if City beat United in the FA Cup final, 5th and 6th in the league get Europa. United loss Monday (and their awful goal difference) puts 7th in our hands. If United could then do us a favour and beat Newcastle (unlikely) then 6th is in our hands. If we get Europa, we can't sack him. We're building a bit of momentum, our attackers look like they're starting to enjoy playing together and scoring goals. Wether you like him or not, thats massive progress on last years finish and struggles in front of goal.

When he gets the ball he’ll either do something outrageous, something sh*te or something outrageously sh*te. It’s annoying because he’s actually got a really good eye for a pass which if you couple with his speed and directness, there’s definitely potential for him to just destroy defences. But then he’ll do something like last night, when he won the ball in the final third and couple complete a simple cross into Jackson, and you just can’t ever see it clicking

He felt very on edge as soon as it was mentioned about managers needing time, although as @El regreso has said it could have been the language barrier. Does feel like there’s been a big shift to fighting his own corner recently which might be a sign he isn’t overly confident he’s staying this summer

Bloody hell that interview was odd

It'll be one of the mid table prem clubs that are pushing to try and be more than what they are. So West Ham, Newcastle or us.

I've often thought they should train up specialist VAR referees who simply master the rules of the game. So much of refereeing traditionally has been about someone being 'good' at managing a game, strategically managing when a decision needs to be made on a foul, letting play go, deciding when a booking is needed to reign in a series of tackles etc. Of course they also need to know the rules, but it is seemingly more nuanced that black and white rules when you're on the pitch managing situations. The mistake is, these referees who are then on VAR are applying the same rationale. They are interpreting situations based on what they would do on the field and bringing in subjective decision making centred around their experience in the middle. Thats not what VAR should be. I would have a completely seperate set of referees responsible for operating VAR, referees who are not responsible or aware of how to manage a game situation and, more importantly, do not know the main ref or have reason to emphasise with him. This then leaves VAR as a means to identify areas where rules have been broken, which they can highlight to the onfield referee and allow them to make the decision. Which was supposedly how it was always meant to be. No doubt the on field ref will see himself as superior to the VAR as he'll be the only 'real' referee and therefore more empowered to use the evidence to make his own decision rather than just going with what VAR are suggesting. Conersations need to be made available on a live feed, seeing the replays they are seeing real time as with rugby. But, as with Rugby, the referee is more than empowered to make the final call, even if VAR have recommended a review.

Almost, they've got 4 games left and play Newcastle and Arsenal. As well as a couple of potential banana skins in palace and brighton. The city game is the FA Cup final. Point still stands though, must win game if we want to stand a chance.

Really enjoyed this and despite normally hating him, I liked how Simon Jordan was scared to just outright ask JT questions about the more sensitive stuff. I've always thought he was the type of twat to spout it on his radio show but suck up to someone in person. Thought JT did okay with them and got across his side of what went on. I agree with @nonotnowjim , his plane story is open to interpretation and doesn't come across perfectly but its also hard to question JT's decisions given the impact and career he had making those choices. I remember how heavy handed the AVB handling of our experienced players felt at the time and this just shows how awful he was behind the scenes. Begs the question if he would have been a success if he hadn't have had to try and move them on.

Looks like we are one of the only clubs who wouldn't have been compliant had the spending cap been in place last season, which is hardly suprising. Saying that though, and without any knowledge or expertise of how it will playout, I wonder if a shift to this cap may help us make up for the mistakes of the last few seasons of FFP mess. Us abstaining from the vote would potentially suggest otherwise but interesting either way. Hopefully one of the few decent chelsea focussed journo's puts something together soon on how we can expect it to go.

What a bloke, haven't loved a player as much as him in such a short space of time. Hope we can finish the year strongly and give him a positive send off. The club better have a plan for replacing his presence, they already messed up not giving him the captaincy last summer.

Against the consensus but i'd keep him. I am not convinced by anyone else who realistically would take the job, we can't keep recycling managers and our squad without success in between and expect top managers and players to want to join. At least under roman we'd win a trophy or two every now and again to keep our stock high. He gets the summer, he gets to argue any point he wants to argue with the board about the squad, whether thats needing experience brought in or depth in other areas, he hopefully gets to move some of the sh*te on and we go again. If the boat is the same next year, he's gone and we really are up against it but hopefully some stability helps start from a stronger footing and we can make more of a push towards the top 4. Whats the alternative? Some young up and coming manager who plays nice football in a sh*te league currently? I just don't see how our squad of underachieving youngsters benefits from us taking such a risk.

Yeah, after last night, I really hope its this surgery thats holding him back rather than him being a complete bust. I agree with the comments above, I think he's negatively affecting Caicedo with his lack of movement. If theres somthing to be done regarding his injury, then get him out the team and do it. Not only is it stupid to persist with him at this level but its also financial suicide if he is potentially damaging his body further for the future by playing through this. If it isnt the injury, then f**k knows where we go from here. I really thought him and Caicedo would be a perfect pairing together in the middle.

Probably a bit harsh, but he's just not good enough. He gives his all every game and hits the levels of the others who look like they couldn't care less. He'll continue to be a standout whilst we are sh*t but if we ever get good again, his flaws will be exposed. The fact that he is seen as so influential for us by the media is actually a damning critisim of how average we are. As mentioned before, I think he's good enough to be a decent squad player if he's happy in that role (if we ever get good again).

We really weren't at it were we? I honestly don't know how it gets fixed, im at a complete loss. Easy answer is Poch out and start again, but we're running out of time a bit. Plus, who out there is better an would take the job? Last night exposed our frailties and what happens when a good side takes their chances against us. We've been in big games this season and been unlucky in big games this season. But we have also been very lucky in big games this season where the opposition have missed a bucket load of chances. I seem to remeber Haaland having a torrid time. The problem is, we need an absolute clearout and reshuffle in the summer but the last thing we need is a clearout and reshuffle. We can't carry on with the levels of overhaul we have experienced under the new owners but there are so many awful signings that I can't see how it stops. Might just do a rewatch of the Roman Era every matchday now instead of watching this mess, will keep me going for a couple of decades. Maybe we'll be good again then.

Gallagher was on the right for the goal, so if anything you’re proving the point. He’d helped keep that side quiet all game. Cucurella followed the ball in and onto the line, Mudryk didn’t tuck in and cover. Whether you like it or not, we needed bodies to help out defensively today. City’s main attacking move is a ball wide, hold it up and then players running beyond from deep are played through. That meant sacrificing a traditional forward/winger in place of someone who can play wide and tuck in defensively and track those runs. Gallagher is the best fit for that. Enzo didn’t come in because he’s Enzo, he came it because once Gallagher is outside of that centre 2, Enzo is the next best option.

None of those have an impact is a brave statement. Whether they were tired or not, Poch did enough to beat City today. Some awful finishing and some awful refereeing cost us. If you think he can set up like we did against Everton and get the same result, your head needs a wobble. Gallagher was wide and frustrating going forward, but was tucking in on Foden who was hardly in the game. Palmer out wide keeps him away from a congested midfield with Rodri who is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world and a spare city centre half tucking in. Palmer had space when he wanted it.

No Haaland for City feels like such a trap. Sat here getting all excited when the reality is they've loads of quality players that are more than capable of ruining our day. Not to mention the chances he's missed against us this season, might have been better to have him!

Will be interesting to see what we do with him in the summer. Love his attitude and work rate but realistically he gets nowhere near once reece is fit. However, we know what reece's injury record is like and gilchrist would be useful to have waiting in the wing if needed. Would just be a shame to potentially stunt his career by holding him back in case it happens as I think he'd benefit from a loan

No idea when his expected return is but I just pray he doesn't come back this year. He's got no chance of the Euros and we're mid table, just take the extra few months and get ready for pre season. Poor lad is one more season of injuries away from getting totally written off, something a few are already starting to do. Hopefully taking the surgery this time will crack the issue, I just can't believe the club didn't make him this time last year when he was in a similar siutation.