Saun Dyche decided to teach Klopp some manners and he did it with only 23% possession, 62% pass accuracy compared to 88% of Liverpool and 227 passes compared to 717. He got away with a clean sheet, a 2-0 scoreline against the title contenders while fighting in a relegation battle. The Premier League is ruthless, but when it comes to the City, teams are helpless (sort of).
We were hoping for Brighton to do Everton on Man City but they lost 4-0. City are only a point behind with a game in hand to Arsenal. I doubt they are going to drop any points in their next 5 games, they are going to get away with the title most likely. Winning mentality comes from WINNING, and if we were the winners last season, I would have put my money on Arsenal. They are not going to drop points. No chance at all.
We are doing our best. Arteta humiliated Pochettino as if he was still managing Spurs and I’m pretty sure he is going to do the same to Ange. The problem at the top is that, you lose 2 games and your season is over. We are out of champions league because we didn’t win against Bayern, and we are going to lose Premier League race because we lost to Aston Villa at home.
Klopp has suffered this for 8 seasons, winning only once when he had one of the best teams at one point (Salah, Mane, Firmino, VVD, TAA and some more). Arteta suffered it last season and is going to suffer again in 4 weeks.
But…
What’s stopping us from being the City? KSE has not shyed away from investment. Mikel has gotten everyone he wanted. We have a bench of players like Vieira, Jesus, Zinchenko, Timber, Tomiyasu, Partey, ESR, Nketiah, Nelson. That’s about 200 odd millions.
I think it’s the football we are playing. We are doing what Pep does with better players. Of course, he is going to win. We need the chaos Wenger used to have. We need the chaos the front three of Liverpool had. We need the chaos Martinelli showed initially but is now reduced to a player who runs on commands.
Chaos and Order. Fuck the order next season and let’s get some chaos. Let’s get some Trossard and Martinelli and Partey.
Right, I’m typing this on phone so excuse me for any errors. Marriages here are a week’s thing and I still have couple of days to enjoy. Hope you are having a nice one.
Thanks Ambarish for the post. It feels really weird to hope the Sp*ds fall over on Sunday and then make City drop points. All we can do is get the remaining 12 points and hope City has at least 1 draw and keep the difference in the goals scored.
We need to keep the pressure up on CIty – we play before they do and they haven’t looked quite the well polished slick machine they were last season.
If we keep winning they might just drop a draw into the mix.
The Spud’s have to play both of us and if they want to take 4th from Villa can’t afford to lose both – we need to beat them and let them go into what’s the 2nd to last fixture of the season for both teams at the toilet seat with the Spud’s needing a win for a CL spot.
City have lost their last 4 PL matches away at Tottenham!
Wasn’t aware of ManC’s record at the toilet
There’s no worse way to chuck a title challenge than at their place. Those peasants will give us no end of shit. I’ve heard some of them ready to chuck fourth place if it means City win the league. Tramps.
Still hoping but not hopeful.
Good post Ambarish—although I would agree with your assessment regarding MA’s tactical approach, which tend to make us look like world beaters against lesser lights and/or injury-riddled sides, then leave us wanting against better managers, I do take issue with his recruitment practices…far too often we’ve wasted vast sums on ill-suited half -measures or coin toss propositions, like many on your above list…I believe if we had invested properly we would be on par with the best in Europe right now, as most of the top clubs are in transition presently…this should have been our window on both fronts
tends
Trvl, being silly. We’ve beaten Pep and Klopp this season. We’re on a par with the best in Europe, CL quarters, you’re contradicting your own points.
The recruitment has done the job. We’re a better team this season than last. The vast sums we’ve spent have bought us better players. That’s what it’s meant to do.
If your point is, we could have won the prem and champions league if we’d spent less that makes no sense. If it’s that with the money we spent we should have won both, also makes no sense. If you think that we’ve scored the most and conceded the least through luck or everyone else rolling over just for us, equally nonsensical. People aren’t stupid, we can see a good team, with good players and good management.
Some people just like a moan.
Aitcho
There will always be fans who’ll cut their nose off to spite their face but the money and prestige in the CL will have the management and players wanting it.
We just need to make sure we beat them first.
Aitch—slow your roll my little blunt instrument…you lack the nuance required to discuss such matters…stay in your lane with your pom-poms firmly within your thumbless hands
Aitcho
Our recruitment has not been amazing when you look at the money spent and some of the players bought.
£35 million on Zinchenko a season ago and then 12 months later £40 million on Timber (who’s predominately been a right sided player).
Sell Martinez for £18 odd million (who then wins the world cup) and buy Ramsdale for £25 million after one season decide he’s not good enough and take Raya on loan (got to be a £10 million odd loan fee involved) and we’ll end up paying £30 plus million for him.
£35 million for Jesus and we still desperately need a striker.
£65 odd million for Havertz when Chelsea paid a third less for Palmer and the striker at Bournemouth has scored 50% more goals.
And none of that includes destroying the value of numerous players he decides he doesn’t want or pissing money up the wall on contracts.
Marc, they’ll need CL income when folk wake up to how lousy the Tottenham area is for holding events. I bet they’re offering bargain deals for all thr recent stuff.
I’ve had moments of foootball related petty. I’m sure I’m not alone and sure we’ll all be fingers crossed Spuds v City.
I believe we get to celebrate St Totts if we win Sunday. Petty again but I missed not having it..
St Totts day isn’t petty its rivalry.
Wanting your own team to lose seriously hurting its progression to stop a bigger superior local team from winning something is petty and small minded.
Its why the Spud’s will soon be commemorating the death of the last Spud supporter who was alive when they last won the league.
Marc-the Spurs have won 4 of their last 5 home matches, but I still don’t like their chances against us unless MA brings the handbrakes on the road with him…they should be extra motivated for the derby, especially considering their present position with 2 games in hand on Villa…that said, their upcoming schedule is incredibly daunting, so if we can pot a couple early the weightiness of their pending schedule could set in and crush their spirits…I like Ange’s tactical mentality, but it does expose their backend at times, so if we can take our chances they’ll have to open up even more…if that happens, it could be another floodgates affair
TRVL
You want to win the league you’ve got to be able to beat the Spud’s at least once a season.
Marc-Agreed
Marc, these are old talking points. It’s 2024
Emi wasn’t going to stay, got good money for him, good for him, good for Villa. Don’t think he’s better than Raya or Ramsdale. I was relaxed about him going although seeing him the WC was comfortable, but that was three years ago.
Palmer’s price isn’t the issue. We could do that with any player. It’s a bit of a red herring. He was cheaper than lots of players we could mention. And some players are more expensive. Hojlund was the same price as Havertz. Jackson 35% cheaper.
£35m on Jesus is worth it for what he is. We wouldn’t get a top grade striker for that money, we didn’t. We got a very good forward with WC, CL and PL winning experience.
We’ll see if Timber is worth it next year so defer my opinion. Zinchenko was an upgrade last season so a good purchase. Value-wise, hard to say. But not trying to upgrade and continously improve is bad in any industry which makes getting Timber sensible to try and do that rather than letting Zinny’s price be an obstacle to progress.
We probably need to upgrade no9 but apart from the handful of nailed on 25+ strikers who are either unobtainable or North of £100m the rest is speculative with clubs asking mickey take money. £80m on that waster Ferguson? I’m okay missing that.
I’m less inclined to quibble over perceptions of “value”, also just opinions, unless it stops us getting what we need. We were able to put the big money on Rice when it was needed.. I’m okay that we couldn’t or wouldn’t stump up the best part of £200m on Caicedo and Mudryk last year given how our alternative purchases panned out in comparison.
I’m less comfortable with some of the silly contracts too. Pay the big boys what they’re worth but Cedric, Nketiah, Nelson are getting away with it. The players whose value we destroyed were taking the piss though. If they were any use they xouldn’t have been ‘destroyed’ and again, no point hanging on to wasters like Auba and Ozil when they were having a laugh. Take the hit and move on. None of us were advocating for them to stay. That was a few years ago however, we’ve all moved on from those deadbeats and their lack of anything meaningful shows there was no value to be had.
The only one that troubles me at the moment is ESR as I still believe, with very little recent tangible evidence, that he’s got something to offer. Callum Chambers, Holding, we were lucky to get anything. None of the deadbeat sales were Tets purchases. We can assess it once his buys are being flogged.
After all the years of Wenger trying to mislead us with talk of value or qualidee, and I get things were tight, dogmatically trying to work his old magic were harmful. We spent every window seeing cracks in the team and failing to see deals being done. The season when he only bought Cech was negligent. Now, like Brexit, we get deals done. Every season we called to cut deadwood and now we get to control who the deadwood is.
Perhaps I’m product over process but I can only assess the end results. What miffed me in 2021 is of less relevance when we’re doing ok
The issues our team aren’t related to transfers and squad management of 3 or 4 years ago or who we didn’t buy.
Tvrl
Nuance?
Trvl insight
“They’ll be motivated for a Derby, a couple.of early goals will settle it”
Call you captain obvious, calling my name because I hurt your feelings. Only to make yet another crappy comment.
Trvl
You tried to convince people you were a coach. I know a LARPer when I see one.
“Score a couple of early goals…” Michael Owen-esque in it’s inanity.
Aitcho-you can write until your blue in the face, but that won’t change the fact that you bring functionally nothing to the conversation…btw if you’re going to use quotation marks make sure you actually have the correct quote…I learned that from some dick-smack loser who tried to call me out for taking a few liberties with a Twain quote…how do like them nuanced apples, Mr. Short Pants?
It wasn’t a Twain quote Vera. If you’re going to get things wrong online have to resilience to not get over emotional when someone tells you you’re wrong. You do this every time without fail
People LARPing as football coaches still venting two years after being bumped from a blog should limit their time online. I thought I’d been a bit harsh on you before. I probably wasn’t harsh enough about your rambles and Mitty-isms
“Next up, Vera tells us how ‘goals win games’ and how the team with the best attack in the league had.crap striker”
Pure foolishness
whether you abscribe the quote to Twain, Lincoln or another individual doesn’t change the fact that you definitely “removed all doubt”…just a little head’s up, when you get that rattled, it might be wise to take a moment or two to self-reflect before going into full-bore keyboard warrior mode…simply put, what happened above was not your best work, which is rather disconcerting considering how low the bar was beforehand…at this point, I’m imagining me giving you a series of Benny Hill “Jackie smacks” then sending you on your way…good day to you kind sir
ascribe
Morning all
Good post Ambarish hope the weeding is as fun as displayed on the internet.
Hammers v Pool with Arne Slot, a TRVL shout from long ago is confirmed as the new Pool manager, and reports say the squad are very happy, we are led to believe by the DM this morning.
Pre new manager bounce anyone?
Should make for an interesting game with Pool players wanting to shine for the new manager where I’m sure Klopp will milk it to help his cause with leaving on a high.
How did we sign El B? All secret squirrel stuff late at night with quick paparazzi pics taken for dynamic effect, perhaps?
Pool all front and center playing to the press with their new manager branding.
Question is who will win new PL honours first: El B or Arne Slot?
On that note, Aitcho, whatever you see that is far better than before El B please be reminded that had Emery been backed that way El B has, we would have had trophies by now. Dispute all you like but look at Villa who have backed him. Emery has won trophies since and before, no? European ones as well, I mean fancy that!
As it is El B has won only the Covid cup with a great helping of luck or rub of the green.
By all means blow hard about El B’s improvements with 12 players, all so grateful for the potential red zone game time where injuries happen the most. I won’t disagree the football has improved, but there is no consistency, no continual game intelligence or better still game changing, in-game management. That and very poor rotation and don’t lose mentality tactics as well as the famed handbrake.
Does Klopp or Pep act that way?
It’s your POV and you’re welcome to it. I prefer facts where nuances and grey areas have been looked at with only facts remaining.
The real fact of the matter we are still PL trophy less after 5 years. All the gushing “look at the improvements” are meaningless if we don’t win the PL or CL.
I’ll agree with your opine that we are better player wise, but with caveats that only Rice, Partey, Ode and possibly White as he improves and Timber eventually, but the rest including the City misfits and our highest paid, Havertz are just poor signings in anyones language for a title winning team, where as yet with seasons of their input we are still trophy less and they are declining in form and ability.
A good manager keeps his stars, such as, Emi, even if a weird up arse, he is still the 3rd best keeper in the league. Far better than Raya or Ramsdale where we still have a keep issue. Willock is doing what Havertz has done for us. Not a long term keep, but would have been a solid 8 for us this season and good profit when selling off a decent season.
We’ll lose Saka, Saliba who EL B didn’t want, and maybe big Gabs who El B wanted to sell at the beginning of the season, but was blocked. Ode will be gone if we don’t win a major trophy soon. Then will Rice want to stay if Barca or RM come calling?
All if’s and maybes, but so is football.
With the above in mind I think, in part, we would all agree with your thinking about improvements in playing identity, but it’s too repetitious and easy to counter and inconsistent.
Therefore, the smart owner will see constant failure as time for change, and then bring in an experienced manager who can improve on El B’s losing achievements thus far.
Almost, but not quite with 3 April implosions right on cue is El B’s best efforts. What could have been is all we are left with.
Is your take so probable BOB from LG of “one more year for me and, that’s it if he doesn’t win, we should change?”
If it is, it certainly doesn’t match with this room’s managerial temperature, but all comments are welcome and discussed using common sense.
By that, I mean your common sense works here when El B wins the PL or CL and you will find us appreciating the honor with you, but some, such as I will still not like the man for who he is with others or as a human being.
Until then, I guess we’ll have to skip the parts where you spread eulogies El B doesn’t deserve yet and so please forgive me for thinking that winning is everything in football.
Isn’t that why Wenger, GG and Chapman are so revered? For winning?
Can we wait with any El B stadium statue ideas, Aitcho, please?
Make one of Josh instead to tower above all others who recently is the expectant father always being let down by his rookie child protege.
Such is life.
Weeding? Sorry Ambarish but in some ways relevant here.,
TRVL
Priceless.
What are your football travels for this weekend, KP?
Hiya mate,
No travel really but I’m a voluntary steward at County for the decider between Pembrokeshire’s two top league teams. Lashings of beer, poor refereeing and decades old scores to settle. What could possibly go wrong? I might be posting next time from a corridor in an a and e ward where I’ll have been waiting for 24 hours with a stab wound. Who knows? Such is life in Britain these days. Football at this level is mediocre, so better to call it men running around with strained and confused looks on their faces.
My spectating swansong this season, in the flesh as it were, is a trip to the weirdly designed Aesseal stadium to see Cardiff play Rotherham next week. Should be a giggle.
As the weekend wears on, thoughts will turn to that scabby little burgh a few miles north of Highbury.
Aticho
“Marc, these are old talking points. It’s 2024”
Not if you keep repeating the same mistakes. I mentioned Palmer in connection directly to Havertz because we gave Chelsea the money to buy Palmer.
Arteta does do good signings but Rice for £100 million is hardly one that no one else could have made. Ode for £35 million was an excellent buy but the simple truth is Madrid were desperate to raise cash after the pandemic and we took advantage.
The one signing of Arteta’s that I have shifted my opinion on is Ben White – he’s become a really top level right back but even then the truth is that was more by accident than design.
Give me an honest answer – Do you think Arteta will ever pull of a Vieira like signing? A player who comes in who’s on no ones radar that 90 minutes of football later everybody wants.
KP
Under armour? It’s serious when one even had to consider needing a stab vest to go out to football or at night.
After my time in BKK on recent trips has soured my view of the city that never sleeps. Hotels are slaves to their masters’ bottom lines where well spoken English and experienced service is lacking most notably their 5 star hotels.
BKK is safe as is most of Thailand.
Hope the stewardship is fun and banter aplenty.
Pool are making hard work against Wedt Ham but should win this meaningless game.
Watching Diaz for Pool and was thinking Diaz would make a great 8 for us if Martinelli could exchange well. Not sure our Marts has a good football brain as he can come across as Wally Walcott at times.
Moyesy ball ahead just before half time, loving it as scousers globally going into wringing overdrive it.
The Hammers have looked likely to score, though.
The Hammers cat drop kick specialist, Zouma is keeping Pool to limited chance.
Did anyone mention holidays in the Hammers dressing room? Pool have upped a gear and West Ham have taken their foot off their pedal.
Moyes needs to change it up.
West Ham come alive 2:2 it’s a funny old game Moyes added Ward Prowse and went on the offensive, so now Salah and co to keep a faint hope alive.
That was an interesting spat from the off form Salah on Klopp and Klopp turning his back on Salah as he waited to come on.
Make of that what you will.
Wobbly Pool continues its wobbliness in drooping in London.
Pool have always looked also Rand this season with late winners from behind in 10 games.
All eyes on Arne Slot. Good for us neutrals.
One to watch for the future maybe?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13356943/Arsenal-Chido-Obi-scores-SEVEN-goals-19s-17-minute-hat-trick-academy-starlet-Folarin-Baloguns-record-9-0-Norwich-rout.html
Like Aitcho commentary on games . That is where he so beautifully explains what exactly happened.
On conjectures likes turn into non- negotiable prejudices. This is something best left within our chest.
Looking forward to your takes on the game.
Thanks
Klopp brutally honest in his post game interview and I’ll be sad to see Klopp leave the PL.
City up next so prayers and shaman requests needed for them to drop points. The likelihood? City adding to their GD and taking 3 points.
Unless we drop points 2nd is what it is.
Leaving us yet again to ask questions of El B and Josh while feeling let down once more by repeated mistakes and unnecessarily dropping points when it mattered.
2nd is losing in my language anyone fell differently?
And the moral of the story boys and girls is you don’t announce your managers leaving at the end of the season you do it once the final ball has been kicked.
Marc-I would suspect that Klopp wanted nothing to do with announcing his departure as early as he did but was likely caught between a rock and a hard place once someone discovered that they were conducted a preliminary search for his replacement…the very fact that they lasted in the race this long speaks to his abilities as a manager, but his lame duck status has undoubtedly created a divide in the room