Come on Fulham!

is the storm rolling in more ominous for us or them??

Wally with the brolly KP

thankfully this match wasn’t 400 minutes longer or Garnacho might have actually scored

good result, luke-warm performance overall…Saliba is the well-deserved MOTM

We got the 3. Currently on top.
Over to the Spurs to get a draw
…and yeahh

We’re all Spuds fans on Tuesday night right?

thankfully this match wasn’t 400 minutes longer or Garnacho might have actually scored

TRVL 😂

You’re right mate. But there were nevertheless some arse-squeakingly bad moments along the way. Palace ripped those cunts a new one 6 days ago as well.

https://youtu.be/xhtq1ObGHy8?si=CV134LruhPMLa7iO

This is priceless. Steve McLaren a few days after arriving as manager at Alkmaar thinking he’d have a go at Dutch. What a wanker.

I want to give MA a pass for the lame tactics against another injury-riddled side, as ultimately the result is the only thing that mattered, but just imagine what would have been said if gifting United all that possession had backfired, which it easily could have if Garnacho hadn’t worn his mother’s boots

A lackluster 2nd half performance where if Rashford had played we might not have got all 3 points.

Another game we did just enough and the different between us and City. Even when city drop pionts they will have probably had 25+ sots on target. We managed 5.

Now our GD is shyte. As Marc said City will hammer the Hammers.

Still it’s not over until the fat lady sings and El B says he has it in his head we are going to win the trophy.

Funny, I did too until we dropped unnecessary points agains poor teams.

That game arguably had a whiff of a pre-ordained result. Manure save face by losing against a vastly superior team who played in 3rd gear, in the process hindering City’s chance of another title. Let’s hope Tuesday night doesn’t feel the same. If Liverpool beat Villa, Spurs must want a result against City no?

I want to give MA a pass for the lame tactics against another injury-riddled side

Vieira
Has someone hacked your account? Is that really you or have you been replaced by a chat bot? 🤖🤖🤖

Next thing I know you’ll be blowing smoke up his tight, hairy culo!

But I agree by the way!

No one rubbishes Manure as well as Roy Keane!

KP–the same thing that has hurt the Spurs at times, is the same thing that makes them dangerous against City…Ange’s seemingly unapologetic quest to have his team play on the front foot at all times, could present Pep with a problem, if they don’t get their defensive tactics right…that said, when you adopt this style you likewise afford plenty of Grade A opportunites for your opponents, which means this could be a 4-2 or 5-3 affair

KP—I’m turning over a new leaf…actually it’s step 3 of my court-mandated anger management program…this is my 22nd year in the program, which btw usually takes the average human 6 weeks to complete….so wish me luck

Professional, efficient performance and not for the first time this season. This sort of performance would have us worried us 8 months ago, now we get it.

We learnt lots in Wenger days, including the fact that 80%+ possession can simply be ‘illusory’. All that possession and no XG. We don’t need possession to control games. Our defensive record shows how much control. ManC levels.

We played this game like the Luton game. No stress against a team whose only plan seemed to be get the ball to the tricky guy and see what happens. You didn’t see and ManU players offering Garnacho options because they either don’t trust him take them or they had no clue what to do next themselves. He didn’t seem to trust anyone else either. So dysfunctional, players ambling around while Ganracho tries to take on the World.

Diallo also became an irrelevance once he realised he was on his own too.

Great awareness from Havertz for the goal. Being aware of Casemiro dawdling and taking the space he did, the hold-up, shift and cross putting it on a plate for Tross. The fans’ endorsement, voting him player of the month for April, was well deserved and he’s kept up his good form with another assist borne out of his off the ball intelligence. Some people would have scoffed when his off the ball awareness was praised early in the season. They probably just didn’t get the concept of ‘off the ball’. Perhaps much like the same luddites who never ‘got’ Ozils skillset and his use of space.

All we can do is our thing. The numbers show how good we’ve been even if it’s not enough to beat City to top spot in the end.

Christ that was fucking hard work.

Praise the God’s of Capitalism for alcohol! Not that I consumed any in the pub I’d never do that.

All over to the Spud’s now – they get something on Tuesday and then we can discuss GD etc and where we are.

Marc—or not nearly enough hard work…I must say it was a little too easy for United at times, considering our defence-first approach…thankfully they were a bag of toys in the final third

Morning all
This DM headline kind of said it all for me:

“Arsenal were drained of energy and innovation but were grateful for United’s predictably woeful finishing as they take the title fight down to the wire, writes OLIVER HOLT after vital 1-0 win at Old

Traffordhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13409143/Arsenal-energy-grateful-Man-United-predictably-woeful-finishing-OLIVER-HOLT-vital-1-0-win-Old-Trafford.html

We looked tired, jaded and bereft of ideas always attacking down our right side because we still don’t have an 8 and Havertz couldn’t shine against the aging Evans.

Havertz watch:

70% pass rate
0 shots on target
0 shots off target
13 times lost possession
7/22 successful tackles 31.8%
1 assist

Zero shots for our 9 says it all. At least Garnacho was peppering the stand behind there goal. I’m not Havertz bashing but with a strong likelihood Havertz could be our starting 9 next season, after scoring 12 and with 6 assists.

Trossard had these numbers:

1 goal
1 shot on target
8/12 passes with a 66.7% pass rate completion
1/5 successful tackles
1 interception
4 x lost possession

Trossard has 12 goals with 2 assists from 33 games

Saka offered these results:

2 times fouled
0 goals
0 assists
1 shot on target
0 shots off target
19/28 passes @ 67.9%
10 times lost possession
1 shot blocked
7/20 tackles @ 35% success rate
1 yellow card

Saka has 16 goals with 9 assists from 36 games.

When you look at it our front 3 have scored 4 goals between them when our 9 should be a 20+ goal scorer a season. I believe it’s this stat that will be the reason we lost to City.

Midfield are adding a little less than they should, but we don’t have an 8 to compare with Ode for creation who has 8 goals and 8 assists from 33 games.

Partey has had limited game time with 0 goals or assists.

Rice has been good filling in at 8 with 7 goals and 8 assists, which is a good season’s return for an 8. However, Rice needs to work better with our LW as Ode does with Saka. Otherwise, we are a one trick pony down the right hand side and too easily defended agains.

Saka’s goals just prove how good he really is.

Martinelli has had a mixed season down to El B’s selections and has contributed 6 goals and 5 assists from 34 games.

We have the meanest defense, which is why we are 2nd, and chasing City, but had we had a 20-goal 9, we would be ahead by at least 6 points, as a guess.

While the fans boys are all patting each other on the back crowing about El B’s improvements in the team this season, they forget we are losers yet again. 3 times imploding in April for successive seasons.

El B’s mistakes this season are just the same ones from last season and some from before that one. In game management is still poor when we need it to change a game.

Did anyone see any different game intelligence in last night’s game from El B? Just repetitive tactics the beleaguered Ten Hag had countered and had Garnacho got one on target, he may well have scored.

The point is we were poor against an even poorer Manure. An all too familiar story this season.

I’m going to hand this over to you LIRers. Are you happy with our returns from our front 3?

If not, how could we improve tactically, and who do we need to buy?

For me it’s an elite 8 or young with no ceiling. Branthwaite at LB and a 20+ goal a season 9.

We buy right in those positions, in the summer TW, and not lose any long injuries to the Euros, then I don’t think even El B could lose next season’s title or could he?

For me, next season has to be El B’s last: win the CL or PL or accept the loser he currently is; except in the eye of the fan boys who are happy to win nothing because we look good at times.

It’s the ‘at times’ that is costing us trophies.

Tony—good synopsis of the current state of the franchise…it’s difficult to predict what’s on the immediatehorizon, from a recruitment standpoint, but it’s clear to me that a front 3 of Tross, Havertz and Saka wion’t get it done against clubs that matter

first and foremost, I would want to know the status of Jesus and Marts, as I think one or both could be sold on…sadly I think it’s more likely that the latter is on the outs, as his reduced role, especially during the business end of the season, means the manager has lost confidence in him, and he’s a far more attractive target for those with deeper pockets…I feel for the kid though, as our tactics, which clearly favours the right side of the pitch and lacks any real directness, just doesn’t allow him to cook, unless we put the kibosh on the whole left side inverted backer experiment…furthermore, there’s even been some chatter that suggests he’s been figured out and teams can take him out of games by simply forcing him towards the endline, but that’s only because we don’t provide him with the necessary help

if I was to hazard a guess, I think we might try to be slick when it comes to the Striker position and get someone who might be a younger, more athletic Jesus type, like Zirkzee, who’s got high-end link-up capabilities, but will likely never score 20+ goals…he will be shoehorned as an 8 or out wide at times, then act as the primary backup to Havertz, who appears to have the stranglehold on a position that he’s ill-equipped to handle when the going gets tough, unless we’re planning to flop and duff our way into the upper echelon of European football

as for the forward position, we will have to invest in at least one player, especially if Marts leaves, but it might not be the flashy kind of signing some might be expecting…with Tross under contract and Rice seeking more advanced pastures, it might be a younger, cheaper project purchase, so we can spend more on the backend…with Partey likely on the way out, we will undoubtedly bring in someone who will help facilitate Rice’s offensive dreams, then buy a defender or two, depending on our ability to re-up Gabs…let’s face it, it could be another headscratching managerial moment, in that we just spent the most money ever to secure the services of one of the best DMs in the business, but since we gave him assurances about playing up top, we’re right back in the transfer market spending big bucks on another DM

frankly I’ll be pissed if we fuck the recruitment pooch again by simply applying the same positional flexibility model as in the past…this could quite easily be the case beacuse the analytics seem to suggest that we don’t need major offensive reinforcements, whereas logic would suggest otherwise…the very fact that we ran up the score against piss-poor and injury-riddled sides, then couldn’t manufacture goals against City or the last two sides we faced in the CL, should tell you that we would be foolish to rely upon these numbers when it comes to predicting future success…ironically the numbers will likewise suggest that we shouldn’t invest too heavily on the defensive side of things, as our record is comparable with the best sides in Europe, but for some inexplicable reason they will be completely ignored and we will once again bring in some more expensive half-measure options

TRVL
All makes sense to me and, as Marc says it’s always square pegs in round holes with El B. Less it change he’s always going to be the nearly man.

40 goals between them*

TRVL
Hard to say about Marts as he’s never had a decent 8 to play with, as Ode does with Saka. Still young and delivering well, though, as I’d bet Unai or Howe would take Martinelli in a heartbeat and get more from him. Pep? has Doku, and the new Ange at Pool will be looking to import. PSG?

He’s our gem and we should keep him. I’m not buying he’s just a head down merchant; he’s just out of favour because Tross plays LW differently to Marts by coming centrally more. Agreed, Marts doesn’t have tippy tappy nimble feet Tross has, but Tross doesn’t have the running at people at electric speed Marts has. Nothing has a CD’s arse-cheeks flapping more than a speedster searing into the penalty box at speed with tight ball control.

Jesus, Zinchenko (please sell him) Eddie, Reis and it makes me really unhappy that ESR will probably have to leave. Vieira, Lakonga (watched him and he has improved, but not to our level), Tavares: and Tierney was quoted as saying he expects to be sold when the Italy loan finishes.

Have to ask, though, is Tierney any worse than Zinchenko or Kiwior? I actually think KT is old school LB better than both as a defender, but has his limitations inverting or playing in the top third barring interplaying and overlapping with Marts.

It’s what Marts has been missing to play with. I feel there were games this season tailor made for KT where we would have fared better. I’d keep him for that utility reason for next season. Bringing on Marts around 55 minutes with KT to have a go down our left, the opposing manager has to at least consider to make adjustments where Saka would also get more freedom when Marts and KT prove effective.

KT can also play 3 at the back next to big Gabs.

Agreed, KT is injury prone; Unai knew that when we bought him, as we had to wait for an injury to heal for his medical. With Tomi being a lightweight, sick note too, KT would fit the bill for me even if he isn’t as fleet of foot El B likes. He’s got a rocket of a left peg from outside the area and can whip in some delightful balls into the corridor of uncertainty for an experienced 9 to convert.

KT can also sit back to let Rice loose in the opposition final third, as a sub or starter. We’ll get peanuts for KT, as his value has been run down when it could have been at least maintained.

I feel we should keep KT and sell Zinchenko.

Ah yes Marc, the gods of capitalism. Where would working people be without this line up o’ cunts?

Branson
Dyson
Philip Green
Jeffrey Epstein
Robert Maxwell
Trump
Putin
Kroenke
Thatcher
Liz Truss
Milton Friedman

To name but a few in my money-grubbers-fuck-everyone-else-except me-XI.

If Bindippers beat Villa tonight, the Spuds establishment will surely be motivated by champions league qualification moolah and therefore give it the big one against City.

At 1-0 there was always a chance that Manchester U could get something together. Saliba was in control at the back and his confident game was crucial yesterday.
Aitcho – off the ball intelligence – something our games master at school taught sixty years ago so somebody on £330K plus per week should have it as a second nature. The difference between Havertz and Ozil – Mesut could strike a moving ball with amazing accuracy, could pass the ball through the eye of a needle and provide inch perfect passes to forward players – the assist master. Sanchez loved playing with Ozil.

Tony
sensible suggestions but KT does not feature in the mind of El B. Zinny will always get minutes over KT and a lightweight Viera will be chosen in place of ESR. KT & ESR are both lining up at the exit door. KT’s price will be low but there is quite a bit of interest in ESR – there are at least 4 teams who looking. Could he become a lillywhite?

NORG
ManU xg was 0.7, there was hardly any chance they were coming back. The stats can tell us what our eyes might not. We had more chance of scoring a second. We can mistake huff and puff for strategy.

You had a good games teacher. He’d probably love Havertz, so many players don’t have the same levels

I never subscribed to the bleating about Ozil nicking a living when he first came to the Ems. His stats showed that was far from the case.

But by the end, his stats showed us this was. Other players knew it and it was part of the rotten culture that had become the norm at our club. All the sniffles for away games, a bad back if he didn’t fancy it, a single assist in his last season with us is testament to how technical ability is nothing without professionalism.

Loved the player but he was probably better suited to Late Wenger era, technically gifted, mentally fragile.

Ozil was on more then than than Havertz is now. Shocking waste of money on our part and talent on his.

Vera, we haven’t effed a transfer pooch for years.

You’ve not been paying attention.

Classic.
Analytics suggest we don’t need offensive reinforcements. You’re right. Stop there, you’re getting it now. I keep advising to assess data and evidence not your feels.

I’m not averse to additions but you’re allowing Tets, and by proxy, Havertz, even possible Pedro from Legrove, derangement syndrome affect your logic.

Try enjoying the our team and worrying less about the times you were shown to he wrong. Of which I’m sure there were many.

Kroenke

Don’t ever be reincarnated as a fish – you bite far too easily even when I’m making a joke about needing a beer to watch the match yesterday.

Tony,
Our offensive returns are good. We’ve all seen the same numbers. Our GD is far from shyte, it’s one of our best ever. We’ve all seen the numbers.

ManU finishing wasn’t woeful, that’s dishonest journalism. No goals off 0.7xg is more than fair. One shot on target I think and that might have been been cross.

If Rashford was playing there’s not a shred of evidence to suggest ManU would have fared any better. Again, we’ve all seen the numbers, they would probably have done worse.

You can’t just make up imaginary scenarios to bat away a win at OT against a shit team trying to hold it together after a thrashing. Well, you can but you end up like Vera, sounding increasingly desperate

Enjoy the wins rather than create alternative realities where they aren’t wins. Not winning the league, doesn’t a manager a loser, too simplistic but not unexpected from you .

People on here were looking to give manager of the year to managers that came 10th or were brushed out of Europe. I told you last season De Zerbi was nothing more than flavour of the month and this season you’ve hitched yourself to the next new thing.

All the while wailing that manager who’s done better domestically than all but Pep in the last two years is a ‘loser’.

Even if you spend hundreds of millions, getting even top four let alone close to the title isn’t easy. As Chelsea, Liverpool, ManU, Newcastle have all shown us.

Job done, two times fan player of the month Havertz with the assist. Tross with the goal. Almost 2xg. Exactly what you’d ask from your front line.

While some guy who thinks Rashford would have made a difference to our win thinks the opposite.

I think you’ll need lots more of those seals if your going to maintain your David Steel like allegiance to Vera who appears to be your very own David Owen

Aitcho
Simple questions – where do you think we will finish at the end of next season -and in the TW incoming player spend and outgoing player income.

Marc

Carpe diem… Or in other words ‘seize the carp’. ✊🐟

Your political controversies and extremist politics (!) are one of a number of things that make LiR for me.

On Ozil, using the principles of ‘cost-benefit’ in addition to what he didn’t do for team cohesion, he is – and possibly always will be – Arsenal’s worst ever signing.

I have to give KH and Tross some serious praise for yesterday’s goal. Taking that position out on the wide right knowing he was onside then taking the ball into their box and waiting for Tross to be in the right place after that long and variably paced run was pretty special. A stopped clock is right at least twice a day!

Well we got the points its all down to the Spuddies tomorrow.

They get a draw and its down to goal difference – serious squeaky bum time for Arteta.

Spurs win tomorrow and Ange will be a hero in N5. They might even invite him on the bus ? – perhaps not.

Apart from my earlier my earlier KT post these 3 youth players had good loans. I hope we keep them but obviously there are concerns with youth players and El B’s reticence to invest game time in them yet persevere with error plagued pets.

Charlie Patino
The 20-year-old midfielder is widely expected to leave this summer after finishing his loan spell with Swansea. The start he made on the final day of the Championship season was his first since January. Patino still made 35 appearances and has been linked to Juventus and Roma.

Would be great if Havertz could give Biereth returns from Motherwell of 6 goals & 5 assists in 14 games +++ Kid has made a statement in the lower leagues hope he gets preseason game time.

https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=134559

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RBQjQ5gmE8

Good reel. The kid can play. Looks better then Eddie, Reis and Jesus, but at the lower levels. Got a bit of Haaland about him. One to watch

Mike Biereth
The Dane spent the first part of the season on loan at Motherwell and delivered six goals and five assists in 14 appearances before making the switch to Sturm Graz. Things continued to go well as the youngster bagged five goals and two assists in the Bundesliga and added three more goals in four Europa Conference League outings.

“I have a year left on my contract, so when I come back in the summer I will still be an Arsenal player. It’s just about getting back and seeing if I can impress the boss,” said Biereth last month. Arsenal refused an offer for a permanent move in January.

Arthur Okonkwo
One of the stars of Arsenal’s loan players, the young goalkeeper presided over Wrexham’s net on the way to winning promotion from League 2. The 22-year-old kept 14 clean sheets and allowed 30 goals from 36 appearances. The 22-year-old’s contract is currently set to expire with the Welsh side keen to tie him down. “Obviously we’re keen to keep Arthur and we’re working on that,” boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales. “It could take time but there’s one thing for sure, we’ll give it everything that we’ve got to keep Arthur at the club.”

From a Mirror spot link I posted before the game yesterday.

Interesting AI thriller series:

NEXT https://g.co/kgs/yti6rks

Tony-agree with your KT assessment, at least when it comes to comparing him to other in-house options, but his injury record precludes him from ever being considered the starter here…I feel like Timber has come to be shoehorned out on the left, so he will likely be the starter moving forward…as such, it will be interesting to see what becomes of Zinchenko, who openly admitted that JT was the better option, as he likely won’t want to stick around to be a fringe player again…problem is, can we sell him considering his unjustifiable wages…we re-upped Tomi, who can play on either side, when healthy, so we will likely look to add some depth pieces, especially if we lose Kiwior and/or Zinch, as Cedric is definitely coming off the books