tajjuk

Very sad news and my condolences to all his family.

^ That's a quote on the BBC website, it has 917 likes and only 30 dislikes. Good player, but awful awful sportsman, can't stand him.

I think the key difference between this year and last year is depth, we have some, this time last year we were coming out of a horrible run of injuries in one of the busiest fixture periods, we lost all form, confidence and momentum because we barely had a team to put on the pitch. Whereas this year we have options and more strength in depth, plus some players have grown into the league like Salisu and Diallo who now look settled and are playing a bigger role this year. Also we need to remember we had 'key' players (and probably leaders in the dressing room) in Ings and Vestergaard leave in the summer, with new players coming in, Tino, Armstrong, Mo is essentially a new player, Perraud, Broja all coming in, plus Stu Armstrong injured for most of the start. So I think you are right Ralph went a bit more solid and bit more pragmatic early in the season to keep us in games, pick up enough points as the team gelled, the new players settled into the league and we got key players up to form and fitness. Now that has happened he feels more confident (along with the squad depth) to unleash our 'full form' onto the league and we are seeing the results. A confident, very fit, well drilled and gelled team. Ralph has become a bit more flexible with his tactics, better with his substitutions and using his squad (though having decent squad depth helps with that, I don't think he trusted much beyond our first eleven last year) We saw last year that our brand of football at it's best troubles everyone (we were top of the league), we just couldn't keep it up, now I think we have better players to do it, and more depth to keep it up. I am optimistic for a good showing through the rest of the season now. Injuries could slow us down of course, we still can't really cope that much if we lose JWP, Romeu, Salisu and Broja, if two of those went from our team for a length period we are significantly weaker, but we have Tino to come back into the team, who knows maybe Djenepo might find some for if he gets fit and I still think there is more to come from A.Armstrong. Who knows, considering how inconsistent everyone in the league is bar City/Liverpool, maybe a sneaky 6th/7th might be possible, after this Utd game we play Everton, Norwich, Villa, Watford, Burnley and Leeds, huge potential to pick up a big slab of points to propel us up the table. Maybe too optimistic but we'll see.

A win would be a great redemption story, but maybe asking a bit much. I'd take a point, they have lots of dangerous players and are very effective on the break so don't even need to play that well just get a couple of breaks on us and we'll concede. Plus we need to take out chances better, we should have been comfortable against Spurs. We'll have to see, if we play like we did against Spurs then we will trouble them whatever, if they are not up for it then there is a chance. To be honest I think just keep up the good performances, whatever the results, so we can keep in form for whenever we play Newcastle because I really want to beat them.

Said this many a time, England don't need two DMs in the vast majority of games, but Southgate persists with them, we need Rice + someone that can shift the ball forward and link the play, JWP is good at that (plus bringing so much in terms of work rate, fitness, pressing, interceptions etc. not even adding on his set piece and crossing ability), The one who will likely keep JWP out of the England squad is probably going to be Bellingham who looks to be a complete box to box player, and also has added physicality that JWP doesn't being over 6' IIRC and being decently quick.

I'd agree generally its an unconscious bias coupled with general incompetence. Particularly at big teams at home with big crowds, if 50, 60, 70k people boo every decision you give against their team its bound to have an effect, though refs should be stronger and our current lot are just bad. I'd like to see more accountability for their errors to be honest and more statistics around refs, I think that would have an impact on them keeping their objectivity more. Though I do also think there are a few refs who do favour certain teams or are against certain teams. We have been on the end of far too many a controversial Mike Dean decision for it to be coincidence IMO, he even influences it when in the VAR, to the point that the club even noticed. Then you add in the 'refs club' VAR where they do not want to embarrass their colleagues, so often don't overturn clear errors.

Not sure Ref's can be taking that risk, ok if a player goes down clutching his head after getting a tap in the knee it might be a different thing but clearly the Ref saw the type of challenge it was and that likely meant a head injury was possible. I mean what is he going to do if Broja gets stretchered off or has concussion? Thankfully he didn't but the Ref didn't know that in that split second, his assistants and the 4th also had good views and should have alerted him. It's a very clear foul anyway, you can't challenge for the ball like that leading with your forearm anyway, so it was poor on multiple counts. He should have given the foul, should have stopped it for a head injury and VAR should have ruled it off because clearly it was part of the play that led to the goal, some of our players literally stopped (which they shouldn't but it's a human reaction if one of your mates gets smashed in the head) and it was only about 4 passes that resulted in the goal. Very very poor all round, just lucky it didn't cost us and Conte's reaction was poor IMO, I like him as a manager but lost a little respect for him, he knew that was a foul and they 'won' a cheap goal but got all angry because our coaching staff were understandably upset. I mean they are celebrating a goal whilst Broja is down getting treatment, poor sportsmanship from Spurs all round IMO.

He's certainly done better than he ever previously has and goes to show that the scouts who originally picked him up were not wrong, there is a player there. He's certainly contributing and is a decent member of the squad. As said above I think Armstrong aside he is the next best that actually suits what those positions need to do, our other options are too 'wingery' and seem less comfortable getting in the box and in the no.10 spots. Does show what a bit of confidence and game time does to a player as well, he's had a much better year what with the cup game obviously doing much for his confidence, on the back of a good spell at Celtic and some good performances for his national team. An area we need improvement though, depending on finances, I'd personally say we need 2 more in those positions that are hopefully direct upgrades, leaving Armstrong, Tella and one other from the squad, probably from Mo or Redmond (who has had a better season), with Walcott and Djenepo should go. Whether we can offload them is a different matter and might be a case of cashing in on him whilst he's in decent form, there have been a few rumours about teams wanting him.

The through ball chance probably shows the area of his game that needs work the most and that is composure, think he tends to rush a little bit and needs to slow down. First goal was instinctive and he executed it perfectly, showed those poachers instincts, but when he has a little more time to think about the chance he doesn't execute quite as well. The goal he scored against Brentford was similar though he did score, but he actually put it close to the keeper not quite executing the shot he wanted to. But should come with more game time and composure, the raw ingredients are all there for a top top striker. Was also a bit greedy when he did really well near the byline but tried to shoot from a really tight angle instead of pulling it back to someone.

We only need A.Armstrong to start having a few better performances and pretty much all our recent signings would be successful I think. Even Elyounoussi is contributing. Perraud looks like he took a little while to settle to the league but really good he didn't let basically a teenager and a right back (playing left back) taking his place get him down, fought to earn his place back with good performances. You'd have to argue that Tino would struggle to get back into the team now, as both Perraud and KWP are playing really well.

Those positions he took up for the cross in that inside right hand channel is very De Bruyne esque, he gets a lot of assists from there and I wonder if its something he/they have worked on because JWP is one of the best crossers in the league, he just doesn't play wide to do it often, but those sort of spots could be very valuable especially as people like Broja are good at heading. 10 goal involvements now this season, after 15 last year, so he hopefully will exceed that 15, really improving.

Seems a non-issue to me, I'd expect the club to be contingency planning anyway and have a list of a managers they are keeping an eye on should Ralph get poached or has such a terrible run they decide to go in a different direction. (this also to be fair probably makes the poaching less likely as well). Managing at this sort of level is demanding, and Ralph is also a details and hands on orientated coach, he spends ages drilling players on the different aspects of the game he wants to play and IIRC it was said in an article that he is basically the first one in the door and one of the last out, so he's a bit of a workaholic, so probably just needs a rest. If anything this makes future planning probably a little easier IMO, especially as I said he's unlikely to change jobs now so we should have continued stability in the manager whilst the new owners grow their model and improve the club.

We look a bit odd in that list, but good to see us scouting South America, IIRC under the old lot they said we only focused on Europe.

Seems odd unless its some sort of ploy to keeper FF motivated. Anyway Newcastle's transfer window is hilarious IMO, 3 players who can't get into other bottom half (ish) PL teams, an aging Trippier and an unknown in the Guimares (who is highly rated but seemingly has been ignored by Europe's elite). I mean they are better, but not by much. No quality centre-back in, no real challenger for Wilson who is injured, Targett arguably makes them weaker defensively IMO. They'll still probably stay up as everyone around is so bad, but still would be great to see them go down and I don't think 3 very mediocre signings, one decent one and one guy who may struggle to settle initially in the league suddenly means they are anything but relegation threatened.

Yeh I reckon this suggest contract negotiations for Mane and Salah are stalling and they think at least 1 will go.

Even if they did offer a figure like that, which I think it would take for us to agree, have my doubts that he would say yes. He's happy here clearly and likes the club/settled in the area, I don't think he'd give all that up to basically move sideways as Newcastle are at least 4-5 years away IMO from challenging for top 4 sort of spots, and by that point JWP would be entering the latter stages of his career at 31-32. He'd be upsetting a good thing here and also blocking himself from moving to an actually top club that would be challenging for stuff.

Also being anti-Israel, is not being anti-semitic, it's being against the acts of a nation state that has acted appallingly and is propped up the US. It's the go to move to deflect criticism of Israel, just call the legitimate criticism racist and you deflect away from having to deal with the truth. It's like saying if someone criticises the US for it's illegal wars, you are being anti-christian or if you criticise Saudi Arabia for slaughtering the people of Yeman it's anti-muslim. Has nothing to do with the people but how these states act and go about their business, and also this general approach where complicated issues which have bad actors on both sides in the history of the conflict, the west generally picks one side as the good guys. That is basically what happens with Israel, when they have clearly done a lot of effed up stuff to the Palestinians.

He's not good enough for Spurs, and they are hardly that much better than we are and they are nowhere near Man City so this comment makes no sense. Redmond gets constantly lambasted on here for not being good enough for us, yet has more assists this season then Dele Ali has in TWO YEARS and Redmond isn't supplying world class players like Kane and Son. He's bad, he was good 4 years ago and hasn't been anywhere near it since, he would not upgrade us at all and IMO would be a liability. Also all these people talking about creative players not working, er all the best creative players in the league pretty much work hard, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, David Silva before him, Fernandes, Mount, Salah, Bowen etc. all hard workers. The Man City players have incredible work ethic and De Bruyne is probably one of the best playmakers the league has ever seen.

Not seeing the issue exactly, hardly like he's Dele Alli of like 2016 or so, across this season and last he has started only 15 games, with just 1 goal and 1 assist. He's been overlooked by 3 managers, two of which are top class and one of which questioned his application and focus. He's not had an England cap for like 3 years. The guy is on a massive decline and doesn't look like he particularly cares. People are just going off his name and his past achievements, of which were really about 4-5 years ago.

Seems like Man Utd are trying to fleece Newcastle for Lingaard, they want £12 million if Newcastle stay up and something over £15 million in total, for a guy they are not playing and has 6 months on his contract. LOL, hope all clubs are taking this sort of stance with Newcastle.

Moving to Newcastle makes no sense for Broja currently IMO, they still easily could go down, they have only secured 2 players in so far, neither of which are massive game changers and look like the are maybe getting a 3rd over the loan with an unknown quantity from the French league. Hardly like even with Broja they will have transformed basically one of the worst teams in the league. Why risk getting relegated moving to Newcastle now when he could basically keep playing PL for us, already getting on really well with the club and the manager (likely with a buy back to go to Chelsea) or just go back to Chelsea to compete in their squad next season or move in the summer. Even the extra money the offer on wages, long term not worth it if stunts his development or drops him into the championship.

If there is one player who's struggling for game time at a bigger club I'd like to go for it's Van De Beek. Apparently Palace interested in a loan and I reckon the sort of goal scoring midfielder we need. Dele Alli just doesn't seem to be our sort of signing and with those wages he'd basically be our highest earner or at least joint with JWP, which might upset squad balance. Can't see it personally. He's also been poor for about 2 plus years now, it's not just a spell of bad form, it's a full on regression and slump, and from what I saw in the Spurs all or nothing, there are question marks over his fitness and application in training, that is why Mourinho gave up on him. Can't see that fitting in very well with Ralph or our squad as a whole, nor does our system really allow passengers, everyone has to be working. Brighton seem a better fit, they are less pressing reliant and he could basically be a younger Lallana.

It always seemed an odd transfer as they were so well stocked in those areas, Mahrez, Silva, Sterling, Torres, Foden, Jesus all have played out wide for them. What's amazing is they spent £100 million on him and he's done very little for them, had they probably coughed up another £20 million they would have got Kane and would probably be like 20 points clear at the top by now. It says a lot for their financial power that they can have a £100 million flop and it barely impacts them. We had like £60 million worth of flops and it crippled the club for about 4 years. ------- As Romeu, from what I have seen in the behind the scenes videos and stuff, he seems quite a quiet person, maybe even a bit shy and reserved, so that is likely why he isn't captain. JWP has got a bit more cocky over the years (probably rightly so) and also seems to always speak very well in interviews etc. plus has been praised for fully grasping the coaches instructions on the pitch and instructing his teammates. I think Oriol just professionally does his job on the pitch with a high level of effectiveness, so I wouldn't want him burdened with additional distractions.

Well should be pointed out how excellent we were in the summer re-start last year, which IIRC included set drinks breaks at certain times, so maybe we noticed that and decided to try to instigate something that would achieve a similar impact. Plus if it is a thing, it obviously recognises that we struggle to maintain leads and tempos late game so are trying things to help with that. The long VAR stoppages also helped I think, though obviously they also went our way, but allowed us to regroup a bit and take some momentum out of city. Personally I am not a great fan of shithousery, at the end of the day it is just a game and would prefer sporting behaviour (a somewhat idealistic hope I recognise), however it is a contact sport and the way some players go down and throw themselves about I don't mind some subtle winding up and a bit of roughing up of these sort of players to see if they are up for the battle. Plus we need to do what we can to bridge the finances gap, so if that means a bit of shithousery to certain mentally weaker players to get them off their game then I think that is probably smart. I think we have done it multiple times in the past to nullify Zaha, he seems pretty easy to wind up and put of his game.

It's ignorance because a wealth of objective statistics will inform a lot more than than your narrow, biased view. Your 'experience' is that of a limited fan nothing more, if you were actually a top class talent at watching and understanding football you'd be doing it professionally at the highest level (and pretty much all them are using a huge amount of data). You are a fan nothing more, with your biases and limited view that then informs your opinion, which in turn makes your opinion limited. It's ignorant to think your 'experience' outweighs a vast array of objective data and information because you must be ignorant of what the data can tell you and how much it can tell you or its massive massive arrogance that you think your opinion outweighs it. Data and analytics is modern football and it's what is driving the best teams and best recruitment, I mean it is literally how a club like Brentford pushed way above their resources to reach the premier league whilst other Championship clubs full of parachute payments and bigger budgets floundered. --------------------------- Anyway, the City game proved how damn good a manager Ralph is, and how stupid it would be to sack him. We drew (and almost beat) a peak Man City side that had won 12 in a row, managed by the best manager in the world, and we didn't get that result through luck, or because they played really badly (they actually played very well) but because our manager tactically set up the team very well and coached/instructed them excellently to execute that plan. (and it's the second time he's done it this season, and City even learned from the first time we drew with them and played even better). Man City are a juggernaut of a football club, not only do they probably have something like 5 or 6 times our wage budget and 10 times our spend, with probably their back ups easily taking 80% of our starting spots, but beyond just splashing so much cash, they have recruited wisely for their system with players who have formed a great team who probably work as hard as anyone in the league. Yet our team managed to bridge that difference and match them, now that was us probably playing peak peak level, which is the issue, we can't hit those levels consistently because our players simply aren't that level Man City have because we can't spent £50 million or more on every position. We haven't also for a long time had good enough players in most positions, relying on maybe a core 5 or 6 to carry most of the team and if they went down or didn't perform we got the horrible form we saw last year. Keep getting more and more players who fit Ralph's system and improve the quality a little across the whole 11-16 and I reckon we'll see even better performances and results because we have a very good manager.