**Official** English Football Season 2024/25

[Furball]

Frimpong is a wing back, unproven in a back 4 and too many defensive questions. So also no, I don't want him to replace Trent.

I must have imagined him playing in a back 4 for 2 years at Celtic.

 

[Skipper Pup]

I must have imagined him playing in a back 4 for 2 years at Celtic.

Or you just imagined that being a difficult league for defenders?

Didn't Celtic manage to lose the title one of those seasons btw?

 

[andruid]

Kirkez plays LB so no, I wouldn't want to sign him to play RB.

Frimpong is a wing back, unproven in a back 4 and too many defensive questions. So also no, I don't want him to replace Trent.

It'll depend on what Slot wants to do at LB. I think they want Hato who's a bit more defensive minded.

RB they will trust Bradley + 1. I'd really like like Kimmich (my dream) or Aina but they probably go someone slightly more attacking - call me crazy but I'd like Djed Spence.

Ironic given he had a loan spell to Leeds terminate early because of attitude issues. Has he really seen the light?

 

[Skipper Pup]

Ironic given he had a loan spell to Leeds terminate early because of attitude issues. Has he really seen the light?

Been excellent since mid-December.

Quality player there. I doubt we would actually be interested given the known off-field issues.

 

[Uppercut]

The problem with Amorim is that his squad requirements are so specific that backing him is a huge commitment. If he's been in charge for 8 months and the only direction things are trending is down, committing to him like that starts to look like it might be a bad idea.

OTOH, I don't think we have much choice. This time last year the problem that stood out to me was a horrendous lack of shape and effort when out of possession. The problem that stands out to me now isn't anything tactical, it's that Hojlund and Zirkzee are two of the absolute worst strikers in the entire division.

 

[Skipper Pup]

The problem with Amorim is that his squad requirements are so specific that backing him is a huge commitment. If he's been in charge for 8 months and the only direction things are trending is down, committing to him like that starts to look like it might be a bad idea.

OTOH, I don't think we have much choice. This time last year the problem that stood out to me was a horrendous lack of shape and effort when out of possession. The problem that stands out to me now isn't anything tactical, it's that Hojlund and Zirkzee are two of the absolute worst strikers in the entire division.

Just go the Arsenal route and don't play a striker all

If it's good enough for 2nd it should be good enough for 14th.

 

[Niall]

The problem with Amorim is that his squad requirements are so specific that backing him is a huge commitment. If he's been in charge for 8 months and the only direction things are trending is down, committing to him like that starts to look like it might be a bad idea.

OTOH, I don't think we have much choice. This time last year the problem that stood out to me was a horrendous lack of shape and effort when out of possession. The problem that stands out to me now isn't anything tactical, it's that Hojlund and Zirkzee are two of the absolute worst strikers in the entire division.

Zirkzee has skills tbf, but I just don't think their is goals their sadly. Rasmus has somehow regressed , I seen some say maybe this is Forlan II, away from the spotlight of such a massive club, he could turn into a player, skeptical, but did anyone think Diego would become such a killer when he left Man U?

Chido when he came on also looked quite raw and is not ready for the league, but he still looked much better than Rasmus lol.

I think for any serious manager what do United offer that is compelling bar money? And even that might be an issue with Jim tightening it up.

They probably should stick with Rubin, but for his own sake he needs a few wins in the premier league and at least get to the quarters in the Europa.

 

[Uppercut]

Zirkzee has skills tbf

Footballing skills?

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Footballing skills?

I hear he's a jet on Dance, Dance Revolution.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Zirkzee has skills tbf, but I just don't think their is goals their sadly. Rasmus has somehow regressed , I seen some say maybe this is Forlan II, away from the spotlight of such a massive club, he could turn into a player, skeptical, but did anyone think Diego would become such a killer when he left Man U?

Chido when he came on also looked quite raw and is not ready for the league, but he still looked much better than Rasmus lol.

I think for any serious manager what do United offer that is compelling bar money? And even that might be an issue with Jim tightening it up.

They probably should stick with Rubin, but for his own sake he needs a few wins in the premier league and at least get to the quarters in the Europa.

The time has come to prove he can coach. At a bare minimum you expect to see some sort of structure and progression with how the team plays.

I am yet to see any of that, says to me he's out of his depth.

All this stuff about profiles of the squad/players etc is inconsequential. Bottom line is a good manager will make it work with whatever he has at his disposal.

 

[Kraken]

The time has come to prove he can coach. At a bare minimum you expect to see some sort of structure and progression with how the team plays.

I am yet to see any of that, says to me he's out of his depth.

All this stuff about profiles of the squad/players etc is inconsequential. Bottom line is a good manager will make it work with whatever he has at his disposal.

With that being said, what Manager would "make it work" at Utd currently? I can think of an increasingly long line of good managers who would massively struggle to make it work at this shitshow atm.

 

[Skipper Pup]

With that being said, what Manager would "make it work" at Utd currently? I can think of an increasingly long line of good managers who would massively struggle to make it work at this shitshow atm.

I have no idea. People are paid alot more money than I am to figure that sort of thing out.

They should never have gone near Amorim if the squad wasn't suited to him. By all reports he interviewed for the LFC role but we opted against him because FSG didn't want to have to change the make up of the squad.

I am not criticizing the Amorim appointment but it was clear they're in a tight financial position and they wouldn't have endless cash to spend in the market. Picking a guy who then needs to invest is a bit short-sighted.

They should throw big money at Cholo and let him come in and implement his 442. It'll be a rough ride for fans but he won't stand for entitled players or a toxic culture. Surely he's had enough of Spain and wants a new challenge.

I actually still think Southgate would be a good choice.

 

[wpdavid]

Snips Man Utd context ...

I actually still think Southgate would be a good choice.

I didn't see that coming, and apologies if I missed it previously.
I am interested in your reasoning though, given all you've written about Southgate in the past. Unless you just want to see the man suffer.

 

[Ali TT]

I remember when Arsenal put 7 past Standard Liege. My mum dragged me to some secondary school open evening and I was fuming that I missed it.

Tonight 7-1 in Eindhoven. Record away victory in a knockout ECL match and equals PSV's worst defeat ever.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Big statement win in the Champions League by one of England's finest sides, away from home at that.

Arsenal have also done pretty well.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Fair play to Arsenal - that’s a cracking statement away win.

 

[duffer]

Lool, who needs strikers?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Another 1-0 win for Colchester today. Chairman Cowling has come in for a fair old ton of abuse over the years for his parsimony, but he's kept the club on a sustainable footing. It's taken the Cowleys a good 18 months to rebuild the team, but the defence have been improving by the week. I can't think they deliver the most entertaining package on offer, but this sure beats flirting with relegation season after season.

 

[Skipper Pup]

I didn't see that coming, and apologies if I missed it previously.
I am interested in your reasoning though, given all you've written about Southgate in the past. Unless you just want to see the man suffer.

Partly because I want them to continue to suck.. but I actually think he's the sort of figurehead that can deflect the media criticism away from the players and galvanise the club. Once the hype and toxicity dies down its a case of culling the egos from the dressing room, implementing standards and coaching the players. I think he can do the first two quite easily.

I don't rate his tactics but there's enough in his philosophy that he can set up pragmatically and develop the youngsters without needing star signings or complete overhaul. Once they get a few results the fans will be in his corner.

I think their journey back to the top is going to take 5+ years. There's no real way to expedite that. He's at least capable of starting the process and laying the foundations for someone to pick up in a few seasons time.

 

[Skipper Pup]

I remember when Arsenal put 7 past Standard Liege. My mum dragged me to some secondary school open evening and I was fuming that I missed it.

Tonight 7-1 in Eindhoven. Record away victory in a knockout ECL match and equals PSV's worst defeat ever.

Arsenal have to be favourites for the UCL after that result.

Phenomenal performance. I don't see anyone beating them.