I have watched Atletico many times, it doesn't change my question of "who knows". What have you seen to make you so certain?
We haven’t even kicked the ball and you’re already suggesting that we will get f’ed! Atletico is not exactly setting the world alight in their league. I’m starting to think that you actually celebrate every time we fail to win a match. Luckily we haven’t lost that many since November to really fill your cup.
He keeps calling Ralf a **** manager It's not sunk in yet that Ralf isn't a manager, he's there to assess the squad and what style of football they are best suited to as a group. His real job will be to identify a manager who can coach that style and, for the next two tears at least, identify players (additions) that will move that squad forward. Hopefully stability and harmony between squad and manager
I think he knows. lol. But can’t come to terms to the reality that things needed to change. He’ll come around. This match was always going to be a tough one. Brighton do not win many matches, but they are equally hard to beat due to their organization. I think that’s why Fred came back in today. I only watched the second half. We didn’t stretch them enough from the wings. If it wasn’t for the sending off, it looked like another 1-1 draw written all over it. Not convincing at all!
We were shocking in the first half but should still have scored 2 (maybe 3) goals. We are starting to create a lot of chances but missing absolute sitters, unfortunately we are also offering chances up to the oppo which usually get finished. Getting better on the whole and a lot to look forward to with anticipation rather than trepidation.
Definitely anticipation than trepidation! Jadon was also good on the left wing. He stood out. He’s definitely one for the immediate future that will help enhance the team. I want to see more of him playing alongside Rashford. Elanga is quietly making an impact there too. Real test willl come when we start playing the top 7 teams: March 6 - City away March 12 - home to Spurs March 20 - away to Liverpool We need to win the next two games against Leeds and Watford. Then maybe we can go into those three matches looking for 5 points.
But yeah, one win. Top four is obvioulsy the aim, although I'm personally not that arsed what european competition, if any, we play in next season. I can see that we have to get top four for potential player recruitment though, and it would certainly help the new manager to be in the higher level comp. I find it stagggering that people don't see us in the top four? I accept that Rangnick is having to work with a squad utterly dispirited and demoralised by the ****e served up by the previous regime, and getting them playing to any half decent level is proving problematic, but have you not seen who we are up against for top four? None are exactly brilliant themselves, are they? There was an air of dread about the place last night and it proved to be misplaced, because we won. Got to beat Leeds and Watford though. Two wins, surely? If we don't, then I will accept it'll be an uphill task. Not really that bothered by what we do in the CL, it's a free hit essentially. No one expects us to go through, or win it, so we should just go into the next round with that attitude.
First 2 games absolutely we're more than capable. Tbh I think we're more than capable of 4 wins. But even if we don't get top 4, I genuinely don't think it'll dent our recruitment. Yeh if we're going for marquee signings, sure. But I don't think we will be. As I've posted on the Rebuild thread, if we bring in the right manager and he's working with Rangnick, Murtough and Arnold to bring in the players they want to suit a system and style of play, it won't be mercenaries and it won't be prima donnas we'll be signing. I think it'll be players they know of, that want to be a part of what the new heirarchy at the club will be trying to build. The only exception may be Rice for big money but that's it. And I think he'd come without Top 4 next season anyway.
I’m in that camp. I second what Treble also said there about Europe not denting our recruitment. At this point in time, do we actually want entitled players? Or do we want players that understand that they need to earn the right to play in Europe? There are only so many places available with other teams that are certainly going to qualify. So I’m happy for them to go there while we work to first get players that want to be here and work hard to bring success to the club. One season of not qualifying in Europe may also serve us well in being able to get the team grounded while revamping it for domestic competitions.
I don't know if you can get this back in Blighty - well worth a watch if you can - https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0MHPT9EF4SF0IC7X014Q5F4JIP/ref=atv_hm_hom_1_c_Q0o7DL_brws_2_10
Funny you should post the above as I was just this second checking the champions league scores (couldn't be less interested in watching the ****e) and saw the little La Liga nugget below. But we're gonna get butt ****ed for sure.
Thank goodness Glazer is not giving the pre match talk. He would tell the boys not to bother kick the ball. Lol