Rival watch

They can have one after 30 seconds again - if it results in the same outcomes as the one at OT did!

 

Bruno Fernandes was awarded a penalty last night for an incident that was far less obvious than Maguire on Welbeck.

The inconsistency (bias) is pathetic.

 

This is why I have a lot of time for Ajax, even their ballboys are class:

 

The player considers going down and then thinks better of it.
He said after the game that what the ballboy did was fine and he understood his passion, to be fair to him. Still a twat, though.

 

Are you being serious or just on the wum? Penandes walked into an outstretched hand and immediately threw himself to the floor, it was a nothing incident and a complete accident, the kind that we see several times during almost every game and nothing is given (unless you are Penited or Varpool of course). Obviously, the referee could not wait to give it.

 

Why is the ref looking directly at that in the first place? It's like somebody told him it was going to happen.
The ball's out wide and the box is packed, yet he knows to look for simulation from Fernandes.

 

Amazing .It must be written in the stars....!?

 

Well,he did leave his gun at home!

 

So chaps, who do we think will get the boot first - Mourinho or Arteta?

 

Wouldn't be surprised if both are gone in the summer.

For them to stay, Jose needs top four and probably even to do City in the final, top six and the trophy might just be enough though. Arteta needs to win Europa as I doubt top four is attainable for you now.

Both likely fail.

 

I don't think Arteta necessarily needs to win the Europa, but he's needed to show consistent improvement in the team and display that he's been learning from his mistakes.

He's not done either of those things.

If the underlying metrics showed that there had been improvement, then I think we'd be more inclined to let him have a bit more time. This isn't the case, sadly.

There are no redeemable features of his management and that's why I think he'll be under pressure soon, if he isn't already.

 

Personally I don't see how you lot could stick with a manager that doesn't get you any European football for next season, whether that be via the league or winning the trophy. It only makes his - or his successor's - job even harder next season to meet objectives.

It's the same for us, if Jose fails to get top six and doesn't win the League Cup it's hard to see how he can stay.

 

Genuinely and sincerely hope your lot give Arteta time

 

I personally am inclined to agree with you, but I think the difference is that the club have a lot of faith in Arteta and have an unwavering belief he'll come good eventually. It's viewed as a case of taking a few steps backward in order to move forward. I've got no idea whether Arteta is capable of overseeing a job like this. But the signs aren't promising and at what point do you keep overlooking appalling results and displays?

Based on our summer transfer activity, albeit impacted by Covid, I don't think there was any realistic expectation to finish in the top-4. We are probably performing worse than the hierarchy expected, but unusually, the management seem to be siding with the manager, rather than the players. They'd rather rip up the whole squad, than get rid of Arteta.

Do I think this is the right thing to do? I don't know. But ultimately, it's their jobs which are on the line. So they'd better have a clear plan of what they're doing here.

 

Likewise with you lot and Mourinho

 

We said it first...

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Bad news for Pochettino, as one of our supposed goalkeeping targets, Mike Maignan, saves a Metz penalty:

Lille currently lead 1-0 which would put them six points clear of PSG in 2nd. Monaco and Lyon are in 3rd and 4th with a point less per place.

 

Deserved to have it saved after that runup

...walkup

 

Fulham 0 - 1 Wolves

Last minute goal.

Scott Parker's going to fit right in when he takes over from Mourinho.