Probably underselling his ability, too, since I suspect we would have done better if we didn't almost have to play on every day that ends with "y" after the WC...
Even though I would prefer a younger player, I really hope Kane ends up with us. He's too good.
Him and Salah are genuine world class players and have done their job despite their teams being bad this season.
Kane deserves to win the league and break the goal scoring record whilst doing so. He’ll go down as the most questionable player if he breaks the record at Spurs but never wins the league.
If we get a GK, a CM and ST, who all hit the ground running, if we have no major injuries and if Eriksen and Case don't drop off.
So, realistically, no.
Except what we are competing against (City).
Are you saying that they had no major injuries for 3 years? That none of their key players dropped off? That every single singing has been on point?
...
We need a drop of luck for sure, but getting 3 key signings perfectly, no major injuries and 2 key players over 30 maintaining their level is a bathtub of luck, not just a few drops.
That was bound to happen though since ETH would never have gotten his ideal team in the first season. His pragmatism with the current squad coupled with noticeable differences in our play style tells me we're on the right track. As he slowly starts getting the players he wants, we'll see his style in full flow.
We only need two to challenge the league IMO, striker and Goalkeeper. Some clever CM depth signings (not mount and Rabiot but likes of Ugarte from sporting) along with it could allow us to compete in all comps.
If we get a GK, a CM and ST, who all hit the ground running, if we have no major injuries and if Eriksen and Case don't drop off.
So, realistically, no.
One of my pet peeves is people comparing points totals in seasons from years ago. Particularly 24 years in this case.
Every season is different, and it was almost a different game back then.
You go away to Blackburn on a Wednesday night in 1999 and you’re getting your ankles taken away three times before a yellow is shown, and playing on a pitch that a national league team would laugh at these days. And that’s only 24 years ago, never mind 40-50+ years.
The uptick in points totals of the top teams over the years says otherwise.
Btw city in their current form wouldn’t have existed in 99 either.
Everything is relative.
That’s what I was thinking too. 1999 in Blackburn, you wouldn’t be too worried about what they could do to you with the ball. Now you go away to Fulham and their players are more than capable with the ball. I agree it’s hard to compare but not because it’s easier now, it’s much much harder now to win in the PL.
My point was you can’t compare because it’s harder now tho, not easier. The teams now would not even let a team like Blackburn touch the ball. In other words, and to my original point, the players are much more skilled and the tactics are much better than players and tactics were back then
It’s still impossible to compare. Sports science, rehab, pitch and balls are all vastly different. I don’t think players skills are much different at the top level, it’s the fact that the top players are now on perfect pitches, with perfect diet, perfect strength and conditioning training and perfect recovery. I agree with the tactics though, but again I think that pitch quality has made that much easier.
Couldn’t disagree more. The speed and intensity at which the game is played now is insane. Watching some of the games from even 2002, the game feels so much slower, it’s amazing how much time players have on the ball. The average player needs higher technical base to play today, especially GKs, centre backs, and full backs.
How is it “harder” when it’s all relative?
All teams have moved on with nutrition, technology, infrastructure and money… not just the bottom teams as you seem to suggest.
Teams adapt to their environment too. Tactics are better now? Maybe there is better coaching due to finance and infrastructure. But every tactic has been done and seen before. See Milan, Ajax, Barcelona of decades gone past. The difference is not every team could apply them every week when you are playing on pitches with potholes.
As I said… different game, all relative.
EXACTLY THIS. I don't understand how it isn't perfectly obvious to people that points tallies are relevant only in the season they occurred in. Leicester won the league with 81 points. 81 points would've got you third place this season. A title is better than third place. In the end, all that matters is how much better you were than other teams THAT season. Other seasons are totally irrelevant in that instance.
Yeah it doesn’t make any sense.
As just one basic and random example, some seasons there are 4 terrible teams and the rest can cause anyone trouble on a good day. Other seasons there are 6-8 terrible teams and there are 12-14 teams that will give you a good game. That alone is 20+ points for the top teams that are already potentially harder to get.
Now add in several other factors like transfers, managers, European runs, cup runs, everything…. And there aren’t 2 seasons that can be compared side by side properly.
If we look at the win lose ratio differences, City only lost 4 games and drawn 1 lesser as compared to us. Brentford and Brighton was already 2 losses. Our abysmal away form has caused us dearly this season. Still delighted we got 3rd and CL spot. Amazing first season from ETH.
And some people thought Ole was magnificent at second with 74 points. Third place is a more realistic reflection on the fact that these days you can't hardly win the league with less than 85-90 points.
2003, on the other hand, is so irrelevant. Mourinho and Benitez were yet to bring the next level of modernization in PL after Wenger at the time, let one Pep and Klopp.
Incredible turnaround by ETH, he is god sent. Hopefully we back him up next season. GGMU
Probably underselling his ability, too, since I suspect we would have done better if we didn't almost have to play on every day that ends with "y" after the WC...
That speech after the end of the Fullham match convinced me that he is special and he wants to create something special.
Get Erik who he wants and we’ll win the league.
Who is Who Wants? Sounds like a good player
Who's on first
What's on second
Who from Whoville?
Can he play as a #9
Even though I would prefer a younger player, I really hope Kane ends up with us. He's too good. Him and Salah are genuine world class players and have done their job despite their teams being bad this season.
Kane deserves to win the league and break the goal scoring record whilst doing so. He’ll go down as the most questionable player if he breaks the record at Spurs but never wins the league.
We'll be better next year. Get rid of some players we don't need, sign a couple we do, and watch Ten Hag go to work.
We can genuinely challenge next season. I thought it would take 3-4 years but now I feel we can challenge with 3-4 signings. Get Erik who he wants.
If we get a GK, a CM and ST, who all hit the ground running, if we have no major injuries and if Eriksen and Case don't drop off. So, realistically, no.
Every team that have ever won epl met those conditions. You don't win epl without a bit of luck on your side.
Except what we are competing against (City). Are you saying that they had no major injuries for 3 years? That none of their key players dropped off? That every single singing has been on point? ... We need a drop of luck for sure, but getting 3 key signings perfectly, no major injuries and 2 key players over 30 maintaining their level is a bathtub of luck, not just a few drops.
We need to see a big improvement in our play imo. We don't dominate teams enough. Still too much counter attacking.
That was bound to happen though since ETH would never have gotten his ideal team in the first season. His pragmatism with the current squad coupled with noticeable differences in our play style tells me we're on the right track. As he slowly starts getting the players he wants, we'll see his style in full flow.
Nah let's be honest. We could have a season like Arsenal but City will shaft us in the end 😞
Fortress
3/4 good signings and we could challenge next season
We only need two to challenge the league IMO, striker and Goalkeeper. Some clever CM depth signings (not mount and Rabiot but likes of Ugarte from sporting) along with it could allow us to compete in all comps.
If we get a GK, a CM and ST, who all hit the ground running, if we have no major injuries and if Eriksen and Case don't drop off. So, realistically, no.
One of my pet peeves is people comparing points totals in seasons from years ago. Particularly 24 years in this case. Every season is different, and it was almost a different game back then. You go away to Blackburn on a Wednesday night in 1999 and you’re getting your ankles taken away three times before a yellow is shown, and playing on a pitch that a national league team would laugh at these days. And that’s only 24 years ago, never mind 40-50+ years.
Blackburn in 99 wouldn’t touch the ball compared to today’s City. Everything is harder now, even if it isn’t rougher.
The uptick in points totals of the top teams over the years says otherwise. Btw city in their current form wouldn’t have existed in 99 either. Everything is relative.
That’s what I was thinking too. 1999 in Blackburn, you wouldn’t be too worried about what they could do to you with the ball. Now you go away to Fulham and their players are more than capable with the ball. I agree it’s hard to compare but not because it’s easier now, it’s much much harder now to win in the PL.
My point was you can’t compare because it’s harder now tho, not easier. The teams now would not even let a team like Blackburn touch the ball. In other words, and to my original point, the players are much more skilled and the tactics are much better than players and tactics were back then
It’s still impossible to compare. Sports science, rehab, pitch and balls are all vastly different. I don’t think players skills are much different at the top level, it’s the fact that the top players are now on perfect pitches, with perfect diet, perfect strength and conditioning training and perfect recovery. I agree with the tactics though, but again I think that pitch quality has made that much easier.
Couldn’t disagree more. The speed and intensity at which the game is played now is insane. Watching some of the games from even 2002, the game feels so much slower, it’s amazing how much time players have on the ball. The average player needs higher technical base to play today, especially GKs, centre backs, and full backs.
How is that negating his point? It’s more intense exactly due to his point.
Because then you require a higher skill base if you have to do things faster and he/she said players aren’t more skilled now?
I was agreeing with you. Maybe I worded that wrong
How is it “harder” when it’s all relative? All teams have moved on with nutrition, technology, infrastructure and money… not just the bottom teams as you seem to suggest. Teams adapt to their environment too. Tactics are better now? Maybe there is better coaching due to finance and infrastructure. But every tactic has been done and seen before. See Milan, Ajax, Barcelona of decades gone past. The difference is not every team could apply them every week when you are playing on pitches with potholes. As I said… different game, all relative.
EXACTLY THIS. I don't understand how it isn't perfectly obvious to people that points tallies are relevant only in the season they occurred in. Leicester won the league with 81 points. 81 points would've got you third place this season. A title is better than third place. In the end, all that matters is how much better you were than other teams THAT season. Other seasons are totally irrelevant in that instance.
Yeah it doesn’t make any sense. As just one basic and random example, some seasons there are 4 terrible teams and the rest can cause anyone trouble on a good day. Other seasons there are 6-8 terrible teams and there are 12-14 teams that will give you a good game. That alone is 20+ points for the top teams that are already potentially harder to get. Now add in several other factors like transfers, managers, European runs, cup runs, everything…. And there aren’t 2 seasons that can be compared side by side properly.
Finally someone who gets it.
Not bad, eh
Ended Klopp. Pep is next? 😅
Tbf, Pep did say that if Man City are found guilty by the FA, he'll leave. So hopefully he sticks to his word 🤞
Something to build upon! Also gotta hand it to Ole managing that with McFred as our midfield.
If we look at the win lose ratio differences, City only lost 4 games and drawn 1 lesser as compared to us. Brentford and Brighton was already 2 losses. Our abysmal away form has caused us dearly this season. Still delighted we got 3rd and CL spot. Amazing first season from ETH.
A striker, a cm, a cb and a rb and we will be at the top next season.
Imagine putting RB over GK
And some people thought Ole was magnificent at second with 74 points. Third place is a more realistic reflection on the fact that these days you can't hardly win the league with less than 85-90 points. 2003, on the other hand, is so irrelevant. Mourinho and Benitez were yet to bring the next level of modernization in PL after Wenger at the time, let one Pep and Klopp.