You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Big derby today: I'm going for a 2-0 for Southampton.
Spurs fan here, trying to keep feet firmly grounded. Motd analysis last night really bigging them up.... 👀👀 I have to think they are having a laugh at this early stage!
Looks like its going to be Liverpool's season.
Looks like its going to be Liverpool's season.
They’re winning but not convincingly. Still think they miss Diaz.
Spurs fan here, trying to keep feet firmly grounded. Motd analysis last night really bigging them up.... 👀👀 I have to think they are having a laugh at this early stage!
Beating West Ham doesn't tell you very much.
They’re winning but not convincingly.
As a Newcastle fan I don't like saying this one bit, but winning games while not being at your best is the exact thing that wins titles. I'll be surprised if they don't win it again but I don't think they'll win the Champions League with their current defence
but winning games while not being at your best is the exact thing that wins titles
Unfortunately, I said much the same. They’re going to have to rename Fergie-time at this rate.
On a positive note, this Manchester Derby doesn’t look as one-sided as they have done in recent seasons… for now. Haaland has just had to make 3 clearances in his own box in as many minutes. That’s certainly not been a feature of a Manchester Derby for quite some time
EDIT: cursed it, didn’t I? 🙄
but winning games while not being at your best is the exact thing that wins titles
On a positive note, this Manchester Derby doesn’t look as one-sided as they have done in recent seasons… for now. Haaland has just had to make 3 clearances in his own box in as many minutes. That’s certainly not been a feature of a Manchester Derby for quite some time
Hmmm….
Normal service is resumed.
Amorim getting a rousing rendition of ‘sacked in the morning’. He’s probably got another few games before we repeat the Ten Hag exercise and the next mug is brought in to spank another few hundred million before also getting sacked
Dan Ashworth must be feeling pretty smug.
I'm surprised how badly he's done. There was an article in the Graun yesterday about how it's too early to judge. Which seems odd considering he's got worse stats than Rangnick, and next month he'll have been in charge for as many games as Moyes, with far worse results. His win percentage is the worst of any permanent manager since 1931.
I'm generally in favour of giving managers more time rather than less (that said, I think it's about time Shrewsbury showed our man the door), and City are a serious team, but I can't see Ratcliffe et al letting this carry on much longer.
They sacked Ten Hag in October. I reckon they could sack Amorim a year to the day.
The only question is which former United great will be bought in as caretaker. They’re running out of them
Its going to be Rooney, isn’t it?
I just despair.
Jimbo seems to be even worse than the Glazers. I mean, at least you know where you are with those parasites. They couldn’t give a flying **** what happens on the pitch as long as the money keeps rolling in
But poor deluded Jim seems to be harbouring the ridiculous idea that he knows how to run a football club, despite all evidence to the contrary. Maybe he’ll sack some more tea ladies next week to make himself feel better?
Anyone seen Dave Brailsford lately?
Awesome performance from Haaland today even though he should have scored at least one more. With KdB and Gundogan leaving new leaders for the team are needed and Erling seems to be stepping up.
Brailsford left a few weeks ago I think. Quietly.
Is it true Ashworth recommended Thomas Frank?
Amorim’s not for changing the formation but looking at the squad I think you can get a pretty decent first 11 out of them, playing 4-3-3?
Goalie
Dalot RB
De Light/Yoro CB
Shaw LB
Mainoo and Ugarte CM
Bruno CAM
Mbeumo RW Sesko CF Cuenha LW
Subs: Mount, Amad, Mazraoui, Martinez, Maguire, Zirkzee etc.
He won’t start Mainoo, which is why Mainoo wants to leave. But as usual, I’m looking at that squad and wondering how you manage to spend a squillion quid and end up with that as your best starting line up. How many of that lot would even be in with a sniff of a start at Liverpool, City or Arsenal?
Keano was as benevolent as ever after today, but right, as always:
“Not one yellow card. The Manchester derby, it's raining and set up for a few tackles. You shouldn't be able to get out of bed for a week, not one yellow card! Try tackling. Try hitting somebody. Football is a physical game.”
Exactly Ransos, I quiet agree! I don't think beating city told us much either. A home win against Burnley? Not much. That leaves being soundly beaten by Bournemouth.... that told us plenty.
I'm not getting excited yet. I'm just going to enjoy Tuesday night.
Saw some clips of Utd during the Ole period, looks like a golden age compared to this. It's not so much a club as an exercise in taking players with raw talent and potential, beating all the confidence out of them, then sending them out on loan.
But but wasn't Fergie given 4 years and he turned out not too bad - it can take time. if you follow a period of failure and mis-investment it's difficult to transform instantly. Possibly there are other parallels in society.
It's far too early to judge how any team will perform this season. Based on that I'd think amorin will deserve another 6 weeks or so.
Once we are 9-10 games in we might have a clue.. . But like most I already think Liverpool are favourite for the league, Arsenal next, and after that i'm not sure of anything really.
Graham Potter is also under threat though, that's clear. Nuno to West ham?
Eddie Howe's got quite an easy job for the next few months. "Just lob it into the box near the back post lads".
So how long are we giving Ange at Forest?
They looked awful - must've been sweet for Arsenal.
Spurs are looking good, considering their summer (lack of) signings.
Trying to see a positive in the Ange appointment, but failing, must win match against Burnley on Saturday, already feels like a regulation battle looming...
At the Emirates on Saturday. I’m biased but I thought Arsenal played excellently, and that was without some first choice players. It’s probably the best line-up since the early noughties, just with added high quality replacements on the bench. Given how well we played it’s hard to judge Forest beyond the lack of attacking intent although the fact that Wood had been to NZ and back all in the cause of international duty helped explain his lack of impact.
Arsenal’s squad looks seriously strong now. Two good players for each position. If they don’t do it this season thats surely it for Arteta?
If Arteta were to be sacked who do you think could come in and get more out of the players? I think if someone of the calibre of Luis Enrique or Klopp were available then yes a change could work but cannot think of many other candidates who have the trophy winning history and might be available.
They will finish second again.
If Arsenal don’t do it this season I don’t detect any appetite from Arsenal fans to change the manager - the murmurs of change are internet worrier and media-led. Arteta isn’t an easy man to listen to at times and it’ll be frustrating if we come up short but we’re in a very different place from where were and, as Cletus implies, I’m not sure there is anyone out there who you could be certain would improve on what we have now.
Slot got lucky in that Klopp left him with a great legacy, especially a rebuilt midfield which was long overdue. And the spending this year has been impressive. But they’re not infallible at the back and they only beat us with a world free kick in the eighty something minute. Long way to go.
Carlo Ancelotti, he might win stuff at Arsenal.
In a sense he was. Inherited a team that with minimal changes went on to win the title, suggests he was fortunate with what he inherited rather than 'key moments decisions that make the difference' sort of luck. And as the other place regularly shows, you can have all the talent you want but unless the management can extract and harness it you're winning nowt.
With that base, and the money they have spent in the meantime, if he is good I'd expect Liverpool to dominate for a few years now. The thing that would stop them is whether Arsenal can finally add that last bit they need and push them. And also whether the defence can stiffen up, and also hss enough depth for the rigours of a presumably long European season
Last season was a free hit for Slot. Nothing lucky though about his coaching and the tweaks he made - for instance playing Gravenberch as a 6.
More pressure on him now I think, oddly after winning the league - due to the huge spend. This is his team now. Will be interesting to see how Wirtz does as he’s been a bit underwhelming thus far, and that Isak bloke.
Arsenal defence was by a distance the best in the PL last season, the problem was scoring the single goal to win matches we were drawing. Our problem was that our play became far too choreographed, slow and predictable, which is why there is more of a buzz about Eze than Gyokeres, even if Mandueke has had the fastest start of them all.
Don’t get me wrong Slot had a very good season but his luck was that he inherited a good team which had been renewed by Klopp - most managerial departures at top clubs reflect failure and the need to spend.
Slot was fortunate that City were on the slide and none of the others stepped up. They won the premier league with 84 points, you would have to go back to 2015/16 for that to be a winning total.
Which is fine, you can only beat what's put in front of you, and Slot deserves credit for taking another coach's personnel and maintaining a consistently very high level from the previous season.
Slot was fortunate that City were on the slide and none of the others stepped up. They won the premier league with 84 points, you would have to go back to 2015/16 for that to be a winning total.
Which is fine, you can only beat what's put in front of you, and Slot deserves credit for taking another coach's personnel and maintaining a consistently very high level from the previous season.
The 84 points are a bit misleading as the last 4 games were dead rubbers where Liverpool only picked up 2 out of 12 points.
The 84 points are a bit misleading as the last 4 games were dead rubbers
Perhaps, although both City and Liverpool (again) have won the title since 2016 with more dead rubbers at the end than that, and a higher points total
Lot of reunions tonight in the champions League and Napoli have a trendy barista in goal.
Lol @ Rashford.
Looks a bit of a prospect. Where’d they find him? Oh aye, Amorim’s bomb squad.
Was half expecting Hojland to wake up and bag a brace against us too. Still sad to see KdB not in a City shirt.
Utd 😂
Will Amorim last the weekend, he can't have many lives left now.
My prediction has always been that we’re on for a complete carbon copy of last season.
Ten Hag was sacked on 26th October. I’d say the inevitable Amorim sacking could be 12 months to the day, after a string of shocking results and with us in 14th or 15th, again exactly like Ten Hag
I didn’t even bother watching that shambles today as the result was pretty predictable and I had better things to do with my Saturday.
I can’t remember the last time I actually enjoyed watching this shower of overpaid donkeys and I can’t see that changing any time soon.
Amorim today adopted the same pose (again!)as every other United supporter enduring this shite
Apparently, when they twisted Amorim arm to join mid season, he negotiated enhanced compensation if he was sacked in the 1st 12 months.
So he isn't going anywhere for now.
At some point you’d think someone at Old Trafford might question the logic of giving an endless procession of managers hundreds of millions of pounds to spend (badly) in the transfer window, then sacking them before the ink is dry on the new players contracts.
…or maybe not? Why change such a winning formula? 🤷♂️
The only question now is which former player they’ll bring in as caretaker manager at the end of October? Is Scholes due a go? Nicky Butt? Darren Fletcher? Maybe they’ll give Giggs another try?
I wasn’t expecting Brighton to beat Chelsea 3-1 🙂
Potter got the boot today so West Ham are on their third manager in a little over a year. I suggest the manager isn't the main problem.
Maybe Manure should have got Nunez before West Ham did. He's got to be a good option without turfing someone out of a contract. I just don't know who else would want the job now, but hasn't that been the same since... Hmm, LvG? Ole? Moyes?
Potter was good for Brighton, but hasn’t managed it for other teams.
I just don't know who else would want the job now, but hasn't that been the same since... Hmm, LvG? Ole? Moyes?
Well Big Sam was sat with Fergie at the Chelsea game last week. Maybe they’re thinking he could keep us up?
Interestingly Glasner plays a very similar formation to Amorim, with far better results, despite losing players of the calibre of Eze and Oluse. What a run they’re on! Should have been 4 or 5 up on Liverpool apparently.
Potter was good for Brighton, but hasn’t managed it for other teams.
Those other teams, or clubs, have been in turmoil.
Watched the last 20 minutes of Brentford ManU game and there a few times that the ManU players were through, felt a tap on the body and went to ground. Even the penalty. If they'd carried on they might have got more than they did for freekick or penalty.
Just watching match of day. What is up with Utd's away kit?
It's terrible.
Oh and who can Bruno blame for the penalty miss this time?
Just watching match of day. What is up with Utd's away kit?
It's terrible.
i really like it. It fits in with the ‘remember when we used to be good?’ theme park atmosphere so beloved of the owners and is an homage to this classic, which Eric was wearing when he went all Bruce Lee at Palace
Top notch shithousery from Arsenal. Pity for them that the ref isn’t buying any of their nonsense.
They may be forced into entertaining the idea of staying on their feet instead, and maybe actually playing some football?
Well Newcastle do have floor magnet Anthony Gordon.
As I wrote this Saka mysteriously fell over.
I've just read my copy of the Birmingham Mail. In the classifieds there's an ad from Mr U Emery. "Unwanted gifts, Sancho, Elliott, Lindelof. offers".
Potter was good for Brighton, but hasn’t managed it for other teams.
He was good for us for the last 9 games of the 21/22 season and the first 5 of the following season before he left for Chelsea.
We put up with a lot of rubbish up to that point including 1 win at home in a calendar year. We were very patient and he is very unlikely to be given that sort of time at most other clubs. I think that was what was so disappointing about him leaving when he did. It had just started to come good and he buggered off to Chelsea. Anyway it worked out alright for us as the remainder of that season and the first half of the following under De Zerbi were bloody amazing.
The likes of Brighton, Bournemouth & Brentford seem to be very well managed clubs, to the point where they realise they are potential stepping stones & always seem to get the right people in to do the job.
The likes of Man U could do a lot worse than look at what they are doing & imitate it.
Amorim's future looks bleak.
Liverpool aren't invincible.
Arsenal looking more like the team to push them close.
Spurs dropping 2 points at home vs bottom club wolves...this helps keep any ideas of a great season firmly in check!
Still, we get to go to the arctic circle and mighty Bodo again tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
I just read that Man U have only collected 34 points in all of Amorim's 33 games in charge :O
It’s relegation form really. Last year they were fortunate there were three really poor sides - obviously they won’t go down but with promoted sides doing a bit better this season it would be great to watch them mired in a battle for fourth last.
Apparently, when they twisted Amorim arm to join mid season, he negotiated enhanced compensation if he was sacked in the 1st 12 months.
So he isn't going anywhere for now.
Hope he stays until 3rd January.
Hope he stays until 3rd January
Every team are thinking the same thing at the moment. United are just 3 easy points.
Apparently if the club sack Amorim during the first year, they have to pay him £12 million, but the thing is that all the backroom staff he bought with him are also on enhanced compensation deals in the event of them being sacked as well.
Yet more far-sighted, visionary planning from the owners.
The other day I jokingly suggested on this thread, a few former players who could take over as (yet another) interim coach. Turns out that one of them - Darren Fletcher - is actually in the frame. Michael Carrick is another name that’s been mentioned as the next manager to be sacked at Old Trafford
You couldn’t make it up.
It’s relegation form really.
It's very close! Most seasons, 1 point per game would see you safe, just about. And this season they're managing all of, ooh, 1.16. But if they carry only like this, morale will properly tank even further, and then they'll really be in trouble.
I heard that Phil Jones is looking for a managerial role.
He probably learned a lot watching that much football over the past decade.
Rooney has paid his dues and is ready for the big job!
It took just 17 minutes for the West Ham defence to do another Dracula impression.
Top notch shithousery from Arsenal. Pity for them that the ref isn’t buying any of their nonsense.
Apart from not sending off Gabriel for punching Woldemort in the face, Saliba remaining unpunished after leaving his foot in on Livramento with no chance of winning the ball, and then not giving the toon a penalty after an obvious handball in the box. Apart from that though yeah the referee was great. 🙄
And yet after all that and winning the match, Arteta and Arse players were still whining about the penalty they didn't get.
Went to the Everton game last night - any Blues who have moved away from the NW, try and get to a game as the new stadium is immense. Both for the viewing spectacle and location.
Game was a bit flat, mind. Nice to see Big Mick Keggers in good form - a player who has endured some bad times. But neither side really made the case for three points.
Is that a penalty now?
Wow
Soft would be an understatement
The incessant whistling is just plain annoying second only to the vuvezelas.
Never a penalty.
Liverpool deserved that though. Or didn’t deserve to win at least. Slow, laborious, error prone. And that’s just Konate. Wirtz looking like a reverse Coutinho in terms of the fee. And Alison and Ekitike off injured I think. Slot’s got work to do!