xceleryx

This. Jose would often harp about Roma being a small club and tried to undersell them as much as he could, which aligned with the often negative football he'd instilled throughout his time there. .Even during the Europa league final against an awful Sevilla side he set Roma up negatively, as if he was coming up against those prime Barcelona sides he faced here in some sort of David vs Goliath-esque match up. Again, I'm sure Jose would bring with him some positive qualities that could be passed on however there's just far too much excess baggage that tags along to not make it worth the hassle or risk. The Palmer/Mata statement is interesting also, kinda reminds me of what's also happened with Dybala now that De Rossi is in charge - he looks a changed man.

We have a solid nucleus of players, I've expressed this before, we're just missing a few key pieces in specific areas, some experience, and of course better luck with injuries. It's wild to think that we've not once been able to field our so-called "best eleven" this season.

You say all this but when it the reality of it sets in and Mourinho's actions become more detrimental you'll be signing a different tune. This also reads as someone that's not actually watched much of Jose in the last few years. If you think he's matured then you're gravely mistaken. He's still as petulant as ever, the way he conducted himself on several occasions while at Roma towards both the media and officials was nothing short of embarrassing. Even to where he let the team down by getting himself suspended before a huge upcoming match against AC Milan (IIRC). If he wasn't sacked when he was, he'd have likely not had his contract renewed at seasons end anyway as the football was downright pitiful. The fact De Rossi has stepped in and transformed the team, playing some genuinely good exciting football, shows you that Mourinho just wears everyone down. Sure, he may install a few qualities here and there but to put it bluntly, fuck that. The negatives are just way too damaging to be bothered dealing with, especially when you consider that nature of the squad we have on hand that still needs a degree of nurturing as much as anything else.

He'll also have us playing some of the most negative and insufferable football you'll see, just look at the stark contrast between what he was serving up, and what De Rossi has Roma playing since taking over. Granted he may instil some of that old Chelsea mentality, this is a very different generation of player and Mourinho is not close to being the manager he originally was here during either stint. It's just as likely things go completely tits up within 18-24 months and we're left in a worse position.

Mount deserves to stay. I will however gladly see us take Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo off their hands.

The managerial market is pretty dire overall, with the more promising and exciting options likely to either stay at their respective clubs or head to more established sides who are likely looking to compete, something we're not quite ready to do yet. We've seen Barcelona apparently try and convince Xavi to remain for another season because of the market, wouldn't be surprised if this is to try and secure Klopp after he's had a year off to refresh.. While Xabi Alonso staying has put a bit of a handbrake on a few other potential moves that may have subsequently followed if he had joined Liverpool. The two most attractive mainstream options right now include De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim, both of which are no certainties to leave and come with their own question marks. Although, I'd probably put Inzaghi and Thiago Motta in this bracket myself but the former is unlikely to leave Inter at present, and the latter is being tipped to replace Allegri at Juve. Otherwise you're looking at holder heads like Tuchel, Mourinho and Conte (linked to Napoli at present) - managers we've already chewed up and spat out. Who aren't necessarily ideal for the current day position we're in either. As much as some may want to see Poch shot from a cannon and into the sun come the summer, because of a lack of real stand out replacements to step in I'd not be surprised if he see's out the remaining year of his contract, with a focus being put on recruitment to address our inexperience and areas of need instead.

Will be sad to see Thiago Silva depart. Originally advocated for us to sign him when he was known he would be leaving PSG, and despite his age, his quality shone out in the end. To think he's gone on to spend four years here is remarkable, more so when you consider the performances and just how much football he's played as an important cog. I don't know if this is correct or not but I read that he's played more for us than he did during his prime years at AC Milan, which is ridiculous when you think about it. All the best with whatever your playing future holds Thiago, look forward to seeing you back at the club in the not so distant future.

He had to earn his career which plays a big part in why. One of the last players in that generation, now days young players get more far earlier than they usually deserve without needing to truly graft for their place.

Oh, absolutely and not the first time this has happened either mind you.

I think Mudryk gets shoehorned a little because people see his speed and just think "stick him on the wing". However, at Shakhtar he had greater freedom to be more of a playmaker by getting on the ball, playing centrally, and just overall being move involved. We do a really good job of isolating him out wide, to where he barely gets a touch so on the occasions that he does there's greater pressure to make something of it.

Or in Germany where he deadset looked heinously bad. Maybe it's a case of simply finding his level.

This wasn't the point of discussion though, it was pairing Gallagher and Caicedo together. Something that any capable manager is going to recognise isn't a double pivot partnership that'll maximise either players best strengths.

If that's how you wish to interpret what was said that's on you, certainly wasn't remotely close to what I was eluding towards but it's whatever. We should give him more minutes because, and I've said this countless times before, there is talent there but it is raw and requires refining. You may think opposite and that's your prerogative, but having witnessed some of what he's done here, and also at Shakthtar previously, he's got the ability to be a pretty impactful player at this level IMO.

Honestly, I don't even see ROTG's posts because he's blocked for months now. The fact he continue to reply to them doesn't shock me one bit however, very on brand. Appreciate the support nonetheless.

You only ever pipe up though when one of your chosen don't have strong performances. When they do have positive impacts it's radio silence until another weaker performance is had. Don't think anyone has said Mudryk played well overall. He, as has been the case throughout the season, had a couple glimpses, but that was about it. He obviously has a degree of talent, that's been shown both here and when at Shakthar, but he also needs further developing and experience in a couple of areas. A perfectly neutral analysis I would say.

Yes, but trying to curb the natural instincts of two players just to fit them together isn't how you do it either.

Re Enzo: Because we've lacked options due to other injuries. If he had sat out earlier in the season we'd have pretty much had no options outside of Caicedo and Gallagher, so would've really had us thinner than we already were and still are. One would hope he'll return more to the level he displayed last season when he arrived once fit and healthy. Caicedo and Gallagher isn't a long term solution either and I can see why it's not been utilised often this season. Both players like to roam and we saw it at stages in the first half of this match where both were positioned higher up the pitch exposing the middle. For it to be successful both need to communicate and make sure that when one is pushing up the other is dropping back. The result isn't a turning point I agree, but there's still positives to take from the performance and result. We played well for periods, showed resolve after going down 2-0, and continued to fight - unlucky to not walk away with the win in the end. Did you see the bench? The only way Mudryk is going to improve is by continuing to play. Even just having him out there because of his speed keeps defenders wary. He should be starting the remaining games for the season, same as Madueke. Both need the reps over someone like Sterling.

No doubt I'll regret chipping in on this but.... There is a difference between downplaying achievements and simply being aware of the circumstance and context at the time. We weren't a great side, we weren't even a good side comparative to other teams that lined up in the competition or even our own domestic league. We were decent however, with the ability and quality to beat anyone on our day, but by large it lacked the consistency and underlying quality to really be great - our league performances showcased this. Hence the cup side label that we'd started receiving in recent years. I'm sure we're all pleased to have won the Champions League that season, at the time it also likely had a negative impact because it created a false reality where many believed we were probably better than we actually were, and therefore demanded more that simply couldn't be delivered. Either way, I appreciate Havertz scoring that goal but outside of that and a handful of other performances he was largely disappointing given the reputation he arrived with. Can't say I miss him in any playing capacity.

Just in time for the end of season trip away. I guess gotta take what we can get, right...

Just posted this in the injury thread but relevant here given recent discussion. Translation - [Hernán Castillo] Breaking news: Enzo Fernández will have surgery tomorrow for an inguinal hernia because the discomfort he suffers is great. His idea is to be recovered to play the Copa América. As always first in @Continental590

Basically says that Enzo will have surgery tomorrow on his hernia, will look to be fit for the Copa America.

Said this a few months ago when it was announced Klopp was leaving, Liverpool are entering an interesting period of their own with a lot of the stars now on the wrong side of 30. They'll have a rebuild of sorts to be doing, so I'm kinda not surprised Klopp opted to jump knowing this cycle is more or less over. God I hope they implode.

Fabregas probably would've also struggled more if we played in the manner we do now. He was fortunate to have Matic hold the midfield, so there was always cover in behind, and then there was Kante with the legs for the additional running and pressing. Enzo gets asked to be involved far more in transitional phases and that's naturally going to expose his athletic limitations more. We're also not maximising Caicedo in fairness, he could offer a lot more going forward than he does but because we have no real holding player to just sit both players are forced to do a bit of everything.

If we had other midfield options I'd probably agree more, but we're in a pickle where Enzo and Caicedo have virtually required picking every week. Even if opting to drop Gallagher back into midfield and pushing Enzo to the bench, he'd still have had to play more than what's ideal for a player carrying an injury. Is what it is at the end of the day. Just hope it all gets resolved so he can be fit for the start of next season, however that's managed.

@Morgs. Wouldn't we want another LCB and not a RCB if we're to sell Badiashile (which I don't think we will)? With the options you've listed LCB is where the gap is, as it leaves just Colwill as the natural option. Not sure Gilchrist is ready to be a truly dependable CB option at this level, and Humphries should be getting a loan once again where he can continue to play regularly away from here. Either way, will be interesting to see how the summer window is approached with who leaves and arrives.