tajjuk

Arteta was pep's assistant for about 4 years I think and was a former Arsenal captain, this other guy has only been assistant for a year and his subsequent management stint, albeit a brief one, was poor.  Not sure there is much in the comparison, Arteta clearly has learned a lot over a decent amount of time working with one of the game's best managers. 

Plus whilst he did win with City U23s, we've seen how good the players in that team are, so whilst he'd know the players well not sure it's that hard a task. 

Marsch seems odd because he's only been at Leeds like 9-10 months. I'd presume he was someone on our list previously but now being at Leeds would rule him out I reckon. 

Some massive PL bias in that list and a Liverpool love in. Hakimi, James, Pavard and Cancelo are all better than TAA IMO. 

The 'most valuable right back in the world' is a guy that cannot do his primary job very well. 

And yes what is Emerson Royale doing in there? 

I think putting a lot of stock in age/potential of those players beyond actual ability. 

4 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

The PL record for most goals in a season is jointly held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer on 34. Even with a mid-season WC, Haaland will eclipse that in mid January at his current scoring rate.

Those were also 42 games seasons. 

The other thing I saw pointed out is the guy seems a genuine nice bloke, whenever I've seen him speak he seems pretty likeable and grounded. Plus he's said before that interviews and fame don't really excite him. 

I think he's probably the PL's first generational talent they have had playing at the top of their game. The league has had some great players, but this is like peak Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Cruyff, R9 Ronaldo, Pele level play and I don't think the league has ever really had a player like that. When Ronaldo was here he was still a developing player, the 50+ goal seasons didn't come to a bit later, I think barring injuries we are going to see a 50-60 goal season from Haaland, I mean scarily we might see a near 50 goal domestic season let alone all comps. 

He reminds me a bit of original Ronaldo at Barcelona, not quite the same dribbling ability but the pure power and pace combination that most defenders just cannot handle. You watch some of the goals that Ronaldo scored for Barca where he just turns on the turbo boosters and powers past defenders that look like they are stuck in the mud, Haaland does similar, he is a yard or two behind defenders and will still reach the ball first easily and even if they get onto him, he's so strong he just brushes them aside. That goal he scores against Palace where he gets inside of Joel Ward, who tries to muscle him off the ball but Haaland has such strength and balance that not only does he easily hold him off, he maintains perfect control of the finish. You look at other strikers who might get into a similar position, they might be able to use their body to hold off the challenge but often the shot is mistimed or scruffy because they are a little off balance, but Haaland just finishes it perfectly and calmly as if no one is within 20 yards of him. 

It's freak levels of power, strength, pace and acceleration that are rarely scene in combination. Added to a very natural goalscorers instinct of where to be, where the ball is going to drop, it's such a unique combination. Plus he's getting better, he wasn't at Dortmund particularly good in the air, he is now scoring more headed goals and he is also getting assists, his pass for Foden's 2nd I think was sublime, perfectly weighted with enough bend to completely cut out the defence. 

I think the only things that will stop him breaking pretty much every PL scoring record going are that he will likely move to Real Madrid at some point and injuries. That is what curtailed R9 from hitting the sort of numbers Messi and Ronaldo have hit, his body just let him down. 

Considering the 'playbook' and the club been set up from the bottom up to play a pressing game and that feeds into the first team you'd think it would have to be someone who matches that style. 

I like Ralph, I like his style of football and his approach but if the players have lost trust in him and seem to have no real relationship with him, and multiple sources seem to confirm this then I feel his position is untenable and the board probably should have done this in the summer.

We have a very young team, a very talented but raw team, not a huge amount of leaders or older heads in that team so encouraging, building up, etc. those young players is going to need to come from the coaching staff and primarily the manager, if he's not doing that then that is alarming. Also his style of football is all in, it requires players committed to it and giving their all, if they are not fully trusting the manager they won't be doing that and we'll be losing the fine margins. 

For new manager I have no idea, on part history I think it's unlikely to be someone obvious.  I can't see us prying away someone like Frank, appealing to Poch's sentimentality as a dream appointment but very highly unlikely. 

As long as it's not someone in the Hughes mould, which I think Benitez or Dyche would essentially count as, they would suggest short term thinking and not be a good fit, I think our board has shown better than that so far so they likely have some obvious contingency planning going on. 

55 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Desperate woke pr 

Ah the stereotypical Daily Mail reader has appeared. 

2 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

JWP is a very limited player and it shows up at that level. When it boils down to it, he is a one-trick pony who's one trick has deserted him this season. I can't see what he offers over the other midfielders to justify selection. Not even Southgate is a complete fool.

Complete nonsense from start to finish, this comment is so dumb I'd question whether you actually have eyes. 

7 hours ago, niceandfriendly said:

Not sure, seems a bit virtue signally. Surely if they disapproved that much they would make a real stand and wouldn't take part in the competition? 

Don't agree with that, making a protest there, in their faces seems more relevant and impactful IMO. 

What's the point of them as one nation or one kit manufacturer or one player boycotting? It would just get glossed over and everyone would move on. Unless everyone does it and it prevents the tournament happening it would be rather pointless. Whereas their protest kit will be seen and talked about everytime they play.

It's the same with rainbow captain armbands that many of the captains have said they are going to wear.  It puts the protest in their face and will annoy the Qatar authorities and highlight it to their people. 

Boycotting is a weak protest IMO that just pretty much solves the problem for the people you are protesting against because they can just ignore it and brush it under the carpet, plus will harm the boycotters more than the people you are against. Being there and being annoying and putting it in their face makes them have to confront it and acknowledge it. 

Watch FIFA though make them change it. 

Southgates judgement on picking players based on the last year is massively off so JWP missing out, whilst a slowish start to the season, is not purely down to him IMO.

Southgate is now picking unfit, out of form players, many of which are not even playing at their clubs. With one obvious example of his loyalty massively backfiring in his face, those same stuck with players have produced what no wins in 6 now? and before the Germany game like 500 plus minutes of open play with no goal.

JWP isn't at his best form, but at least he is playing, more than can be said for Phillips and Henderson, plus you can hardly argue on Southgate's 'trusted players who performed in the past argument' for Henderson, when did he last play well for England? (Plus he was taken unfit to the Euros and was basically a wasted squad place, he did nothing coming on and was massively off the pace) Rice is not exactly pulling up trees either, he's been off for West Ham (who are third bottom btw), Phillips even before his injury has barely played for city and barely played last year due to injuries so you question why he's even in the discussion, so the only centre-mid you could argue earning his place right now is Bellingham. 

The reality is even in form JWP isn't one of the favourites so likely wouldn't get picked, but I still think on his last 18 months surely deserves to go, plus has been solid when called upon for England.

Him getting axed is harsh imo and not really based on any logic, you can't really 'oh he's out of form' when half the England squad currently are and still get picked.  I'd more say Southgate is a getting a bit found out and JWP is a casualty of that. Even if he was in form I still think his place would be in doubt. 

On 15/09/2022 at 14:53, Saint Garrett said:

 

God we have some shit players...

 

Abraham...

Very harsh on Abraham, 17 Serie A goals last year, 9 in Europe, mobile and 6' 5", definitely deserves to be there. 

KWP is a very odd omission. 

6 minutes ago, Sarnia Cherie said:

Then there is no hope for you and those like you, that for one or possibly two weekends, sport takes a back seat whilst the respectful and unselfish amongst us mourn our Queen. Of all the on-line sites I have been on this morning, this is the only one with negative and nasty comments. I thought Saints fans were better than that. 

Unless you knew her personally then what is their to mourn exactly? There 60 million plus people in this country, hundreds of them die every day and that is sad for them and for their loved ones, and I'd also imagine a lot of them have had a lot harder lives, with a lot less wealth and privilege than the Queen had, but the world doesn't stop for them. 

Don't see why this should impact stuff like this, millions of people have no interest in the monarchy at all and many others are actively opposed to it, but it's apparently fine for their lives to be impacted by this? 

Its faux patriotic nonsense, I have nothing against the woman she seemed pretty decent and tried to do her best in the role but beyond that I am completely indifferent to it, yet we are expect to 'mourn' someone I don't know, have no personal connection to and has very little relevance to people's lives.

We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, people are struggling to feed their families and heat their homes, the NHS is failing, inflation is going through the roof, there is a war going on in Ukraine, far more important things are happening in this country right now that should be talked about and should have action. Yet none of them cancelled sport or similar events and none will get as much coverage as this. 

If anything IMO the reaction to this highlights what is wrong with this country and why its going down the pan, many of our people, leaders, media etc. are more interested in a 96 year old woman dying than the real issues going on. 

It also adds even more pressure in an already squeezed fixture list because of the dumb winter world cup. 

45 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

The British love nothing better than a good “mourn”. Stupid decision which will inconvenience many not to mention put a lot out of pocket. And what good will it do? Not surprised however the PL not one to put there head above the parapet and take on the likes of the Daily Mail. 
It never happened in 1952 so why now? 
 

The Queen did a fantastic job and I salute her service to the country but I just don’t see why a game of football can’t be played. The crowd could have paid their respects in public by having a minutes silence which would have been impeccably observed I reckon. 

Agree just seems unnecessary to me

5 hours ago, aintforever said:

I think day 3 into her job and Truss has already fucked herself by dogmatically refusing to go for a windfall tax, just to cosy up to the swivel-eyed in the leadership contest.

Saddling future generations with £110 Billion+ extra debt just so we can hand it over to energy companies that are basically war profiteering is mental.

So I popped on the Daily Mail youtube vid of her 'plan' and was pleasantly surprised that A LOT of the comments pointed that out.  If she can't please the Daily Mail brigade then she is in a lot of trouble. 

I think saying it publicly was needed as it serves as a warning for other players, not just youngsters. Plenty of young players have moved far far too early and suffered because of it, not fulfilling their potential. We have one still at the club in Walcott, I fully reckon he could have become a much better player if he had stayed here much longer and maybe moved when he was 21-22, or at least taken a stepping stone club before the big club.

Also plenty of examples of young players realising this, moving for opportunities to play and make their name. 

10 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

The pundits love in over TAA is just weird. James is just as good with deliveries from the right, Trippiers delivers are really good as well.

But Trent...wow, what a pass, what a cross. STFU seriously. Most over rated player we've had for many a year.

James is just the much better player, quicker, stronger, better defensively, can beat a man and still puts in a really good cross. To be fair to Southgate he doesn't pick TAA very often, he'll still probably go but I don't see him starting.

Still think long term he should become a centre-mid, he's got the passing and vision for it and England really lacks quality midfielders.

9 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Not sure if anyone else has seen but Antoine Griezmann is on loan at his old club Atletico Madrid from Barcelona.

There’s apparently a clause in the deal where if he plays more than 45 minutes in 50% of games during his loan spell then Atletico have to pay €40M.

Once again tonight, fourth game in a row he comes on in the 60-65th minute. 😂

Barca apparently looking at legal options which is hilarious, you put a silly clause in and then don't expect Atletico to work around it. 

I used to like Barca in their La Mesia days do so well with lots of academy products but they have become a mess and just seem to be doing everything to cheat the system at the moment

Bonkers, the new owners don't seem to have any sort of plan, £240 million spend but very scattergun, I can't see a lot of those signings being sanctioned by someone like Tuchel. 

23 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

With the departures of Dorries and Patel the UK is less toxic and a nicer place this morning.

They both leave with records of abject failure and any other version of events is just desperate spin.

It's a good day for the UK.

 

Therese Coffey is likely to become Health Secretary, she just blocked the publishing of multiple reports that show her running of DWP has caused misery for thousands of people including directly causing the deaths of many disabled people.  She has also voted against same sex marriage and extending abortion access.

Sadly whilst those two awful people have gone the current Tory party has plenty of abhorrent human beings ready to replace the,. 

I see the GOP are going hard after Biden's very popular student debt relief plan, trying to find legal routes to block it. Have the right wing lost all competent strategists? It's baffling (but welcome) that the right on both sides of the pond seem to be persisting with own-goal strategies. 

The GOP is already suffering from their abortion pursuit backfiring against them, no going after a policy that is going to help 46 million Americans, 90% of those eligible for the plan are earning less than $75k dollars a year, so the very 'working' people the GOP claim the plan harms. Over here we have possibly the worst government and worse version of the Tory party in generations following the worse and most incompetent PM in history with brainless Liz Truss. 

23 hours ago, jawillwill said:

The Daily Mail is frothing at the mouth about this today, making it front page news. When a satirist causes outrage by simply repeats and agreeing with what the candidates have said, it's fair to say there's a problem with the candidates, not the comedian.

Comedian mocks Politician shock, I think James O'Brien pointed out that the Daily Mail loves to use 'woke' as a bad word and have basically made up their own definition, and likes to use 'snowflake' too but are now very much acting this way, they are getting offended because some people on the BBC expressed an opinion that I think the most of the country would agree with.

I mean Lycett basically did Kinsberg's job, pointing out the meaningless platitudes and vague wafty sentiments she came out with during what is essentially a national crisis. Instead politicians expect to go on the BBC and do puff pieces where they never get challenged or questioned, and if someone dares to do that it's 'anti-Tory' bias, whereas the sad reality is the BBC and most of the mainstream media bends over backwards to excuse the failings of this government and has done for years.

I absolutely detest Piers Morgan but at least when he was on GMB he asked hard questions, if he'd done that interview he would have shown what a vacant idiot Truss really is.

Probably the worst possible option though the Tories could have chosen, the MPs quickly weeded out any candidate that has a chance to win an election. The members then added the final nail in the coffin with Truss, Sunak, despite being equally as awful I think has a more few more braincells to rub together and a little more grasp of reality.  Sadly the country has to suffer for a while until we get a chance to boot her out. 

Spare a thought for Liss Truss' dad, generally you'd think that your child becoming Prime Minister of the country would be a very proud moment, but I doubt very much he is feeling that way, embarrassed more like. 

She is saying no snap election but can she really press forward? No mandate from the public, no real mandate from either the members or the MPs, a high proportion of her own party don't want her. 

1 minute ago, Chez said:

as a 22 year old, Scamacca scored 18 goals in the Italian top flight last year. If that ain't good enough for you, not sure what is.

Isak can play, but you are right to point out that even £60m doesn't guarantee you goals. I'd take him here at  the drop of the hat though. 

Neither are here. We need to get the best out of what we have. And there are now options, apart from right down the middle, which is what many were saying on the transfer window thread. Its Che or who as the target man?

 

16 and more my point was he’d not hit double figures before that and had yet to score for West Ham apart from against a meh European team.  He’ll also be 24 in Jan he’s hardly a youngster.  Plenty of players have had one off good seasons and then done little again. 
 

The only one for me who maybe we could have gone all out for was Belotti who’s consistently scored goals but then he would have still chosen someone like Roma ahead of us anyway. 
 

And yeh if take Isak but look at the price, we are only just getting in the £30 million range let alone the £60 million for a guy who hasn’t scored many. 
 

Main point is people saying we need a striker but in our price range and wanted to join us I don’t think anyone was an upgrade and I think the club realised that after they got priced out on Ramos and moved on to a goal scoring winger in Gakpo. 

4 minutes ago, Chez said:

Yep. He had a very poor season last year, but prior to that he has looked a rare talent.

Scamacca was available for the exact same money as the Gakpo fee, if you believe the amounts being quoted. I agree with you though. Finding top notch strikers is bloody tough. 

I think he could good but he managed 6 goals last year and missed chances today as well yet is costing £60 million. 
 

Scammacca doesn’t seem to be playing for West Ham and again not prolific in his career. 
 

We really need to get lucky with recruitment again like we did with Ings but clearly there were not many options even with our extended budget, which is why I think we switched to buying a winger. 

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

No, they just bought a £60m striker and can spend another £300m in January +sack Howe if required

A striker who scored less goals than Che last year iirc….

People keep mouthing off about a ‘striker’ no one seems to have mentioned who this mythical being is, half the clubs in the PL have been looking for a clinical striker there just aren’t many about, even Man Utd couldn’t find one and Chelsea bought a 33 year old ( and known troublemaker) apart from Harland most of the best strikers about are in their 30s.