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[Closed] Soccerball - 2017/18 jumpers for goalposts megathread

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What Carragher  did was rather unpleasant, but I really hope the police don't have to waste their time investigating this, because of hysterical faux moral outrage, they have far far far more important things to be getting on with.


 
Posted : 12/03/2018 6:04 pm
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There is nothing false in terms of outrage when a public figure spits in a 14 year old girls face ...

I hope the police spend as much time as necessary in terms of ensuring justice is done ..it is after all a form of assault .


 
Posted : 12/03/2018 6:28 pm
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Carriger: strikes me he must have been drinking given his over reaction. Did he not think he might be being filmed ? Hardly “news” that Liverpool/Man U players/fans are winding each other up is it ? He must have been on the dishing out / receiving many many times. Very odd. Anyway he should be sacked.

West Ham. In a bizarre coincidence Lille fans invaded the pitch this weekend to berate their own team. Whilst in Greece where the owner came on with a gun !!!


 
Posted : 12/03/2018 7:44 pm
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Southampton sack their manager. Is Marco Silva still the flavor of the day, or yesterdays man now?


 
Posted : 12/03/2018 8:59 pm
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Pardew could be free by the weekend 😉

I get the feeling this could be some getting set adrift this evening too


 
Posted : 12/03/2018 9:04 pm
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Going to be a long drive home from old trafford tonight...

Could be 3


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:24 pm
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Oops.


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:37 pm
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his defensive mindest not providing dividends. Still the big lad scored so you know every cloud

One of those we should have beat them* but we had no chance of winning so we were going to lose at some point but it should not have been to this team

* on paper not saying they did not deserve it to be clear


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:41 pm
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That softens the blow from the weekend a bit


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:46 pm
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Yep trying to defend a 0 0 lead was never going to work.


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:48 pm
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Seville Liverpool rematch in the quarters would be good - given the group aggregate score was 5-5.

1 goal in 10 now for greedy Sanchez.


 
Posted : 13/03/2018 9:48 pm
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Sanchez’s form at least gives us Gooners something to smile about!  😀

will be interesting to see if he can turn it around!  As for Moanys after match comments about Man U being used to being knocked out....bizarre!


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 7:42 am
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rarely post here being a gooner but yeah, Sanchez lolz.


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 8:01 am
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As a city fan, I had a theory about Sanchez, I think utd and Mourinho tried to cause mischief for city and drive up the price and wages city would have to pay, Sanchez (and agent) thought they could take advantage of the mischief to do the same, and when city bowed out utd ended up having to pay a fortune to a player they didn't really want (a good player but he looks like he signed for his second choice), and Sanchez ending up playing for a club he didn't really expect want (although I think 350k a week will temper his sadness).


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 8:35 am
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That's the bit that confuses me about footballers though.

A quick Google states Sanchez has a net worth/wealth of £35million.

Why does it matter if you're earning £250k a week or £350k a week when you've got £35m ?

Pick the club you want to play for and play... .Why worry about salary being a factor ?

Sure, i can understand why he'd leave Arsenal if unhappy or to win trophies etc, but to then say "I want to go to City" and then sign for Utd because City bailed on it, well that's just incomprehensible to me. I don't know why the fans, the manager or the board etc would think that's in any way a good idea.


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 8:43 am
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BTW it’s £600k a week not £350k.

Mind blowing stuff, especially as he looks about as potent as Alex Iwobi!!


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 8:48 am
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Point is still the same... £350k a week or £600k a week when you have £35m.... Why do you care ? Sure, if he'd left and gone to City to win a Premiership, i'd get that... In the same way he left Barca to come to Arsenal to get game-time as he was 3rd Choice at Barca, absolutely understand...


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 8:52 am
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Sanchez along with Pogba are totally over rated footballers, there is no doubt they are good, but not worth the stupid money that Man U are paying them. Sanchez couldn't get a game for Barca for a reason.


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 10:55 am
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Sanchez is world class and is the last player to improve under Wenger

de Bruyne couldn't get a game at Chelsea, players can change. there were some pretty decent players in his way at Barca!


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 1:49 pm
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Agree with weeksy. His decision must have been money motivated - he could have gone to City, played ten games and picked up a league winners medal. Don't underestimate the role of his agent in him going to United.

He has the ability to make a success there of course but will probably be constrained by his manager.


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 2:43 pm
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It was my daughters birthday yesterday, so we had a bit of a do, resulting in me not watching the match. Seems like I dodged a bullet there, and saved myself a lot of shouting at the telly. By all accounts it was possibly Uniteds worst ever Champions League performance

I’ve ranted before about Uniteds big-money signings going AWOL in big games. Sanchez has just joined Pogba and Lukaku in totally failing to deliver. Which you could tolerate if they looked like they were putting a shift in! But they don’t.

Pogba and Lukaku can both have great games, then the following week be totally anonymous and look like they cant really be arsed! Sanchez just looks anonymous


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 5:41 pm
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As a city fan, I had a theory about Sanchez,

nah its was more like when City bought tevez it was a statement -we can still get the best players. Its fair to say it has not worked.

Personally I dont think the players are poor. Name any man u player you think has improved under Jose? then remember it was LvG and Moyes there before him

I think he just needs very rigid players who do a job - say Matic types and then relies on a break. He does not have the players to do this - he thought Sanchez was but he loses possession too much. I also think his tactical approach is not  as effective as it once was.

Ignoring all that its dull as ditch water to watch.


 
Posted : 14/03/2018 7:15 pm
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Ignoring all that its dull as ditch water to watch.

That's the killer right there for me. Chatting with a Man U supporter in the office yesterday and all he could talk about was how much he wanted Utd to play like Liverpool are. Despite beating them at the weekend. We watch football for results, of course, but also we watch it to be entertained and Man U are just not entertaining at the moment. The suck the life out of the game and end up getting the win, great for points... terrible for entertainment.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 8:32 am
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Oh please...... just looked at their stats from the game and they had 17 goal attempts, albeit only 3 on target (not a good ratio that). Park the bus? You don't know you're born.

I've looked at the stats for Reading's last 8 games:  TOTAL 69 shots (that's 8 and a bit a game) and 25 on target - just about 3/game.  So while we might be more accurate with our shots, we only have one every 10 minutes, despite dominating possession in most games.  The rest of the time we play keep ball in our half, attempting to lull the oppo to sleep before striking with amazing speed.  How's that going then, Jaap?

(if you remove one bewildering outlier - Derby, where we had 16 shots and 7 on target, the stats drop further to 7 shots/game - one every 15 mins or so - and one on target every half played, give or take.  I don't know what happened with Derby, maybe Stam had a day off although it should be noted we did score 3 goals)

Come and watch a game like Tuesdays vs Wolves - 2 shots all game, neither on target, you'll need valium to calm the excitement at Old Trafford once you see what your old boy's idea of entertainment is.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 9:16 am
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Why does it matter if you’re earning £250k a week or £350k a week when you’ve got £35m ?

Status in the dressing room. Weekly wage is out there on show for the world to see whereas net worth is not so obvious. See the post about flash cars outside modest houses. For a lot of people and not just footballers it's the visible (sometimes apparent) wealth  that matters not the sum total of their worth.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 11:13 am
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Yeah but Messi or Ronaldo?

Its amazing that it's even a question, seeing how Messi is such an amazing talent, but Ronnie has pushed him close!


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 11:35 am
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So, following the dismal CL results this week, can Arsenal finish the job against Milan tonight?  Home form has not been good, so think it could be edgy stuff!


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 11:40 am
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Depends which Arsenal show up. You just never know....


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 11:56 am
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Until very recently the home form has been very good indeed. It's the away form that was the problem!

it's Ronaldo by the way 🙂


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 12:12 pm
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It's the Arsenal way, try and mix things up a bit and keep it interesting

I wonder if Arsenal fans will be happy if they go out and Wenger steps down or if winning it and getting into the CL next year means he stays on longer...


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 12:16 pm
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friends wanted us to lose to Östersund, to force change. It was a hypothetical question I posed too, but he is unsackable.

I personally love the man but want him gone.   nobody can go on forever. Look at Mourinho, a spent force.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 12:47 pm
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Unsackable? ..perhaps and as far as Benitez is concerned in the eyes of most Newcastle supporters he is too ..whereas most ( all )  of the managers following Sir Bob  have just been sackless..


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 2:47 pm
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I wonder if Arsenal fans will be happy if they go out and Wenger steps down or if winning it and getting into the CL next year means he stays on longer…

He should be judged on the premier league and on that basis of the past few years and especially this year, he has to step down.  He should have gone a few years ago....even he must know that now!


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 3:06 pm
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Yeah but Messi or Ronaldo?

They are both phenomenal, Ronaldo does all the tricks and dazles with his footwork, it is obvious that he has magic in his feet. Messi does the opposite he makes the complicated look simple, he can have half the opposition team between him and the goal, and then he just runs though them all and puts it in the back of the net.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:06 pm
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Ronaldo probably has more to his game, all the talent too, quicker, stronger, better in the air and can tackle.

But he's a cock. Messi every time. 😁


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:12 pm
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But he’s a cock. Messi every time.

Messi loves scoring, but he celebrates the same way with his team mates whether he scored or they did. Last night you could see he was chuffed Dembeli got a goal. Ronaldo scores he beats his chest and demands to be adored, when anyone else on the team scores, you can see he is seething that someone else is in the spotlight.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:22 pm
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the eulogising of one and lazy caricatures of the other [ no mention of tax fraud I note  in the selfless man] is, sadly, how most football chats end up

We are blessed to have two great payers who are both exceptional talents,that they are exceptional in different ways only adds to the luck we have to see them both playing at the same time.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:40 pm
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Until very recently the home form has been very good indeed. It’s the away form that was the problem!

actually HYD, the commentator said last week (to my surprise) that we haven’t won a European tie at home for five years!  So let’s hope we scrape through with a draw!

I watched the whole of the home match v Osterund and by the end hoped we had had gone out cos we were so embarrassingly appalling!


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:47 pm
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Apologies, home form this season. Damn lies and statistics!

I used to despise Ronaldo, I've kind of grown to admire his utter utter arrogance.  The statues, the museums etc. Apparently he is the best at quickly working out your weakness ( as a defender not a human being, although that wouldn't surprise me) and just exploiting  it and making a fool of you. Haha what a guy!

.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 6:57 pm
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Cracking interview with Klopp on MOTD Premier League show just now. He seems like a top bloke.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 10:15 pm
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Oh and well done Arsenal. I’d begun to feel sorry for their recent travails. The Europa League is their only route back into next year’s UCL and good luck to them for the rest of it.


 
Posted : 15/03/2018 10:18 pm
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We had the rub of the green last night . Welbz dat dive do'


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 8:59 am
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Funny old dive though, I felt that the slight pull on his shoulder was enough to stop him from turning quickly and crossing.  So he went down because he knew he’d been fouled.  That’s my opinion anyway! 🙂


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 11:22 am
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shame the british teams drew each other

Barcelona v Roma

Sevilla v Bayern Munich

Juventus v Real Madrid

Liverpool v Manchester City


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 11:28 am
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So.. who'll make it through to the semi's?

Barca, Bayern, Real & City are my picks... the Sevilla/Bayern one being the hardest to call I think.


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 12:37 pm
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Bit of an arse - the one tie that neither team wanted. (I honestly think either side could have had a decent go at Barca, who seem to find a different gear for the UCL...City having more weapons for sure, but Liverpool have previous for knocking them out over two legs.)

English sides whittled very quickly from 5 to 1, come the semis. City should win over the two legs, it's difficult to see beyond that but they will have the Anfield game in January in the back of their minds. Should be good though, another two games between two teams playing attractive, fast football.


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 12:43 pm
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Yeah it is a real shame that Liverpool and city are meeting in the quarters. I think they both had a very real chance of going through. You can never be confident of beating barca, madrid or bayern though. Madrid have been pretty poor for most of the season, but brushed aside psg without much bother. But I think that Liverpool and especially city are in the mix with those teams this year.

Should be a good couple of games though, I slightly favour man city over 2 legs if both teams are at full strength, Mendy should be back for city by then. I hope they both are at full strength and that the game doesn't come down to injuries.


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 1:40 pm
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I'm a Liverpool fan but I think City will win fairly comfortably. Not only are they more consistent, they have the advantage of being able to rest players between the games. Liverpool have the small matter of a Merseyside derby between the two matches, and are battling for the 4th CL place. City will be pretty comfortable in the league, as they already are.


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 1:53 pm
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Never mind all that! Looks like Jose’s gone ‘Full Keegan’!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43434736


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 4:59 pm
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What they plan on scoring goals?


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 5:07 pm
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I wonder how many Arsenal fans are booking flights to Moscow. Could be...interesting...although I'm sure Vlad won't want the embarrassment of English fans being battered (at least not before the start of the WC).


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 5:12 pm
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the Sevilla/Bayern one being the hardest to call I think.

Seville are not on a par with Bayern who should win easily

Juve v RM is the hardest to call

 Jose’s gone ‘Full Keegan’!!

More benitez with his list than the full keegan


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 5:42 pm
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It’s a sort of Keegan/Benitez crossover. I wonder if our season will now follow a similar pattern to those two.

I think City v Liverpool should be an absolute corker over 2 legs


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 5:52 pm
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Yeah, bit too controlled to be full Keegan. Keegan/Benitez crossover is spot on. Luv it!!!


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 8:42 pm
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Looks like Jose’s gone ‘Full Keegan’!!

"Whoever follows me at Utd will inherit a group of players......."

what - and play them in a system that works to their strengths and creates a team that people want to see play.

That would be a fine 'eritage.


 
Posted : 16/03/2018 9:47 pm
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Well done to the lady in East Sussex who has just won a million on Sky Sports Super Six !

Results went pretty much in Newcastle's favour today without playing a game ..apart from the Bournmouth result ..probably the only time I have wanted Pardew to win since leaving Newcastle ..

In the Championship ..bye bye enjoy life in league 1 Mackems ..surely doomed and playing to an empty stadium at the end 🤣.


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 5:10 pm
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Sheesh, he's some player that Salah fella.


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 7:13 pm
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Sure is - worried he'll be playing in la liga next year?


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 8:45 pm
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be the year after


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 8:47 pm
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You'd have to think it's likely yes. Sad as I'd find it, you can't hate the best players for wanting big trophies.


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 8:49 pm
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He's the most like Messi I've seen, in terms of dribbling, close control etc. Seems pretty humble, too.


 
Posted : 17/03/2018 9:08 pm
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Felt I had to find this thread to add my praise. What a player, what a performance.

I was also hugely impressed by the xG number - having read about it earlier this week. It takes the chances created (eg: pull back to a player on the 6 yard box, header from a corner on the front post, shot from 25 yards, etc.) , compares statistically against a massive data set of similar chances and outcomes and assigns a likelihood of that being scored.  Based on the chances created Liverpool had I think a 1.65 xG, yet scored 5.  Mainly because not only if he an amazing player, tireless worker, but he is ruthless with the chances he gets

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40699431


 
Posted : 18/03/2018 7:54 am
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I'm surprised Jose hasn't come out and taken any credit for making him the player he is today while he moulded his career at Chelsea 😁


 
Posted : 18/03/2018 10:53 am
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We’ll await the time-honoured Anfield tradition

1. Say he’s not for sale at any price (already done today)

2. Player signs new contract (that’ll be sorted in the next month)

3. Player leaves next transfer window for astronomical fee

He’ll be gone to Real in the summer for 160 million+

Not a bad bit of business. He’s awesome though! Truly world class. I’ve had him as captain on my fantasy football for most of the season


 
Posted : 20/03/2018 8:49 pm
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Great business but the problem comes with finding the next one, the one after him etc. Admittedly VVD has helped the team massively since spending the Barca money, but £200m is only useful if you need it and can replace him.


 
Posted : 20/03/2018 8:53 pm
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But with that and the money you get of Bayern for Firmino you’ll be able to buy Pogba 😀


 
Posted : 20/03/2018 9:17 pm
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Don't make me sad saying things like that. You'll be throwing in Lukaku too soon!


 
Posted : 20/03/2018 9:24 pm
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Luke Shaw?


 
Posted : 20/03/2018 9:31 pm
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I could actually see Pogba fulfilling his potential under Klop (although his potential does not match the hysteria that was trumpeted before united signed him). Shaw needs to spend a couple of years at a level just below the top 5 or 6 clubs to get some match time and regain his confidence, it is a nightmare when working for a manager that undermines you.

I commented after the last manchester derby, the difference between Mourinho and Guardiola on the touchlines, Guardiola was shouting and screaming at his players, but he was telling them what they needed to do right (and he was doing the same last year when it wasn't going so well),  Mourinho was just shouting at his players that they were idiots.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 5:26 pm
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where it all comes down to is this

Name players who have developed and got better under the three managers , Klopp, Jose and Pep, and worse

Jose is the only ones who list of worse is substantially longer,[ I am not even sure the other two have made anyone worse]

I think he is Wenger mark 2 had a MO that worked  but failed to develop it as the game moved on. He is also a monumental **** and ists weird how his  press conferences are so outlandish , as his persona, and the team so dull and workmanlike.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 7:21 pm
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Jose always loses the dressing room before he has inevitable hissy fit and throws his toys out of the pram, and it’s not hard to see why.

its difficult to imagine anyone reacting positively to being publicly slagged off and undermined. His enormous ego takes precidence over everything.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 7:33 pm
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Mourinho is a clique manager, he treats his inner circle of players and coaches like gods (he is the chief god of course), and those outside the clique with utter disdain. British cycling did the same. And it works(ed) if those inside the clique don't realise that not everyone is getting treated equally*. But when he attacks easy targets so publicly, like the physio at chelski and Shaw, it breaks the spell and suddenly the inner circle do realise that actually he is a **** and a bully, and they could be next. The odd thing at the moment is his clique seems to consist solely of Matic.

*The reveal can be difficult though, like life outside of sport, most successful people don't realise how lucky they are, they put success down to their own supposed hard work, rather than the randomness of opportunity which is really the deciding factor in the majority of cases.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 7:42 pm
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It's usually the third season he really implodes isn't it? I'll go for November 2018 after falling behind in the title race and a few average performances in the Champions League.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 9:26 pm
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At least a Jose implosion will be better to watch than  most of the season for man u. Question still stands will he ever beat Newcastle.


 
Posted : 21/03/2018 9:41 pm
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Anyway, I’ve asked this question a couple of times already this season, but I’ll ask it again:  who is the most valuable player in the Prem?

Ill ask again at the end of the season, as it will be interesting to see how the answers change over the course of the season.

For me Salah is now no. 1. Any disagreement with that?


 
Posted : 22/03/2018 8:08 am
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Would be very hard to argue with that, but I'd put him and Kane very close at the top.


 
Posted : 22/03/2018 8:14 am
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De  Bruyne. Good at everything and works his bollocks off.


 
Posted : 22/03/2018 8:50 am
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Pascal Gross. Best value premier league player EVA! (I am of course hugely biased)


 
Posted : 22/03/2018 9:53 am
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