It's quite weird. Sheep mentally I reckon. They've heard it said how shameful it is constantly for years (specially on here, Christ), when actually, it's weird giving a feck that someone has to hobble around with an owee, struggling to rake their cash in still, while benefitting everyone else.
Kevin De Bruyne
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Liverpool fans have thought they will win the league for the last 3 decades yet they never have. Long grass, high winds, offside goals, beach balls and many other obstacles always hinder them.
Im amazed at how confident people can be to think signing 3 players is enough to turn over a 25 point gap from last season.
Will only happen if City get a lot less points than they did last season. I’ve a feeling that will happen though.
Yeah I noticed.
It’s unsportsman like and just because it’s the few things almost Everyone on here is classy about it doesn’t mean it’s sheep mentality
let him miss months of games like Pogba did last season. he can enjoy the rest
When thinking about the fact that we missed months of Pogba last season and didn't have Fred or Pereira, we should definitely go closer to 90 points this season.
When Pogba was injured all we had was Fellaini and Herrera to replace him. City at least have Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
I'm not being that serious. I'm referring to a pre season vibe really. You're being more melodramatic if anything.
I wouldn't wish any player to be injured. But, now that he is injured, I must say this could be great for our title hopes!
Gundogan after his injuries hasn't been anything special. Bernardo as an 8 for an extended run where he has significant defensive duties is an unknown variable and not one I'm particularly optimistic on. City aren't fecked without KDB but losing him for an extended run is a blow.
At the very least his set piece delivery is going to be a major loss they won't be able to make up.
The games he is missing are some of the easiest ones. Certainly they can deal with it better than we could when Pogba was out.
That's being quite unkind to Gundogan. He's not been De Bruyne's level, but a step above any of Liverpool's midfielders last season, and while Pogba is a more talented footballer, Gundogan and Pogba had comparable 'pretty good' seasons.
Gundugan, Silva, Fernandinho is a remarkable midfield still, and there's B. Silva and Delph as backups there. Its never nice to see a player injured, but if any team is to challenge City, they need to keep their own players fit, and City have to experience some ill fortune in that department. Otherwise, City will just run away with it - their second 11 could finish in the top 4, they're that good.
Maybe. I haven't looked at their schedule.
I just think the idea Gundogan and Silva are good enough to just walk in and fill in for him at the same level are ridiculous.
IMO they're not even close to as potent without KDB in the side, especially on the counter or on set pieces.
I never said they would perform at the same level.
No they didn't. Piss off.
Didn't mean to insinuate you did. My fault.
I just think that the drop off is very significant. Enough to say City are no longer title favorites? No, but still meaningful, especially if the injury persists longer than expected.
Aww, don't be trigerred. I rate Pogba, but he was nothing special last year and went through phases of underwhelming performances. Had a few top draw performances.
Gundogan was never underwhelming, but his peak wasn't comparable to Pogba's. Just because Pogba is the crown jewel at United, doesn't automatically mean he was the best midfielder last year.
Midfielders who were better: Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Kante.
Comparable: Gundogan, Matic, Coutinho before he left.
Its certainly a loss to them, it would be to any team. However, they are very well equipped to deal with it. No side in Europe can call upon Gundogan/B Silva's level of player when a startig 11 midfielder gets injured. Both were, in very recent history, stars of teams having stellar league and CL campaigns in Europe's top 5 leagues, and have been pretty good in their time in England.
Lol I'm not triggered you're just flat out wrong if you think whatever Gundogan did was comparable to Matic, let alone Pogba or Coutinho.
Gundogan is living off his rep from his pre-injury Dortmund years and the lustre that rubs off on everybody on such a dominant title winning side.
Around the same level of performances. In that group, it was
Coutinho>Matic> Pogba> Gundogan, but not by massive margins. I think there's such a desire to see Pogba be this star that people overrate his performances. Seriously, what was it he did which was so incredible? Plenty of good games, some top, and a fair few poor. Very similar to Gundogan. Good top 4 player, but nothing special on last year's form.
Now if we actually start talking about talent, Pogba is every bit as talented as De Bruyne even. But his performances were way, way off De Bruyne's level.
He was fine. He didn't move the needle. Pogba gets punished for having off periods but his impact on the team and responsobilitt were much more significant.
Gundogan just played a role, he didn't dictate the game nor was he asked to. He was a much better version of Herrera last year. Congrats.
Yes, well one is a starter, the other is on the bench. I know it will infuriate some, but Pogba would also be on the bench at City. Pogba had more end product, Gundogan helped control the rythm of the game - different players of course.
Pogba's off days were really poor - for a supposedly world class player, he, err wasn't last year on average. There were days when he was unplayable, but a of lot of the criticism was warranted. When you act like a superstar, are paid like a superstar...well people expect you to perform like a superstar.
Lol ok
Ah the 'lok ok' reasoning. Was it Hayek or John Nash who came up with that?
Do you think Pogba was world class last season overall? Do you think he'd start ahead of Silva and De Bruyne in Pep's system? In fairness City and Madrid are the only teams he wouldn't be a sureshot starter at, and its debateable at Madrid.
Not sure what your lol was aimed at. Was I dreaming or was Pogba the same player who one day was tearing teams up, and other days was strolling around the pitch doing sod all, getting slaughtered on this forum, and getting benched in favor of a player with under 500 minutes of first team football?
You're conflating talent and actual performance. Talent wise, Pogba's only rival in the league as a midfielder is De Bruyne. Performance wise, there is a good few ahead of him, and he was certainly not world class last year.
In Pep's system I'd presume Pogba would have more attacking freedom which he's suited for. I think he'd definitely start over Silva as an 8.
What exactly does this have to do with your idiotic assertion that Gundogan was on the same level last year?
Oh, nothing. Good work.
I think its you overrating Pogba's performances and underrating Gundogan's, and the reverse with me.
The only idiotic comment in the discussion is you thinking Pogba would start over David Silva for Pep. Lay off the crack, good sir.
Yes but you're assuming that the Pogba's level/actual performance under Jose is the same level it would be under Pep. KDB wasn't this good with Pellegrini the same with the whole City team. They went another level when Pep arrived. Don't underestimate the difference a manager or the quality of players make. Pogba walks straight into any team in the world if fit imo.
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Back in 3 weeks then.
I'm not talking about wishing injury on someone. But I'm not arsed if a rival's best player gets injured either and it doesn't bother me that some take delight in it. I don't think that's a lack of class. Someone saying they hope such and such gets their leg broke is a different matter.
Think I've worked out the weird logic behind this.
Accepting that Liverpool win the league now means two things. If, and when, it does happen it won't be the gut wrenching, media cringe-fest that it could be. Like forcing yourself into the final stage of grief - it's good to get through the process asap.
Alternatively, they don't win the league and suddenly this is like a victory in itself. Crystanbul GIFs will flood the Caf as delighted posters highlight that Liverpool have won one League Cup in the last 13 years. And that Klopp is a perpetual failure.
Basically, its either preemptive resilience or delighting in the failure of your biggest rival.
on KdB - if he's been in Barcelona, he'll likely make the bench this weekend.
I don't quite get the people who take a moral high ground on others by saying the whole "wishing injury is vile" it's not like people are wishing the guy dead it's a slight injury, it's not even an Oxlade chamberlain one where it will probably affect his career, it's just a setback. He's got an injury, it happens in football and if people think it may benefit their team then so be it. People seem obsessed with looking holier than thou with the whole "gutted for the lad" stuff it's just weird to me that you'd almost be gutted a rival team has had a set back. He will still get paid a shit load of money, he will come back and I'd seriously doubt it's affected his game or career in any way either. There's people out there with far worse problems that you could worry about than a multi millionaire who will probably make another million quid in the 8 weeks he can't play football for.
Hopefully United push on and keep getting points whilst City drop a few in his absence. If it does happen I'd happily celebrate although it seems some United fans don't think it iwll count cos of poor KDB.
Hopefully United push on and keep getting points whilst City drop a few in his absence. If it does happen I'd happily celebrate although it seems some United fans don't think it iwll count cos of poor KDB.
Cugat doing his magic again
Christ. You've just made it worse. There'd be montages of Gerrard, Carragher etc. not managing it. Slow motion replays of Firmino and Salah lifting the trophy. In fact the whole thing will be in slow motion. There will definitely be one of Gerrard pulling that :| face with slow motion rain. The montage will end with YAWN fading in. The media will treat it like England winning the World Cup. No, God no.
Be interesting to see how they cope without him. I didn't watch their game vs Arsenal. Apparently, Bernardo is in good form.
'A consultation with Dr Cugat' is a cracking euphemism.
