We've scored 56 goals this season which is less than 2 goals a game - thats a decent scoring record. 15 of those goals came in 2 games though. Outside of those 2 games, we've 41 goals in 27 games - 1.5 per game, thats very average.
Undeniably so.
Even the 15 goals in 2 games show we are miles ahead of Mourinho and LVG teams in terms of adventurousness - I think Ole has broken a few records of post-Fergie season like score 5 or more goals in a game! And the scoring record for any team would look worse if you took out their high scoring games. Over the course of the season though, none of the other teams have been able to score more goals than us.
The point is the only thing that has changed from last year as far a progress is Bruno.
Incredibly harsh. And wrong, in my opinion.
Yes, because this constant excuse making narrative needs to stop.
Really?
It is truly baffling.Really?
If we fail to improve our starting XI this summer, you still feel complaining about our spending is unjustified?
And if we still have the same best XI next season, you actually feel we should challenge for the title, no matter the circumstances of the teams around us?
No wonder this place is as negative as it is.
Well obviously there are plenty of variables that will make me adjust my expectations, however the excuses do need to stop next season. Signings (or apparent lack of) has been regularly cited as why has, and occasions, continues to struggle.Really?
If we fail to improve our starting XI this summer, you still feel complaining about our spending is unjustified?
And if we still have the same best XI next season, you actually feel we should challenge for the title, no matter the circumstances of the teams around us?
No wonder this place is as negative as it is.
Common season would say if a manager entering his third season and he hasn't meaningfully improved a variety of areas we have reached the maximum under them.
It reached parody levels of ignorance a long time ago.No wonder this place is as negative as it is.
Have to agree here. The job of the manager is to bring out the best of the players at his disposal. Of course backing a manager makes that job easier as it takes one of the many factors a bit out of the equasion but we shouldn't pretend it is the only way.
If we have the same squad/starting XI, the very best we can hope for is more of the same as this season. That's not excuses, that's a realistic look at our squad, and the teams around us.
I believe the manager has meaningfully improved a lot of areas already. You might disagree, but that's due to your unrealistic/unfair expectations.
But what if "the best of the players at his disposal" isn't good enough? Because it obviously isn't.
Well, there's only really been Liverpool last season, who were riding the crest of a wave while City had a downturn themselves.
Can you please tell me what you accept as realistic expectation then? Because you keep dismissing me as being unreasonable/unrealistic when I think I'm being very reasonable and realistic.
Out of interest, how do you rate our defence?
But all that follows a faulty premise in "we can only improve by getting better players". Of course that statement has its merits but it is not true per se. You can also improve in other aspects of the game. Will it be enough to compete with City or a full-force Liverpool? Probably not. Should it be possible to win against Crystal Palace, Sheffield United or Westbrom? It sure does. We want to talk about consistency? Then lets come to a point where we beat most of the teams we are expected to beat. And not just by the odd goal. Win convincingly. At least in a way like yesterday. We are allowed to have tight and difficult games where we struggle - but not against so many minor teams.
Our defence is prone to an error for sure but you're right in that they can be solid as they've shown this season. Generally, I rate this team at a very good level and have always done. I rated them under Mourinho and still do now. Neither Ole or Jose have gotten enough out their squads.
I sure can!
I think we should question Ole and his (lack of?) success constantly. It shouldn't start or stop at any time, it should be constant. As it is now.
At least you deserve kudos for believing in our players, I guess.
Do you not see the huge hypocrisy in these statements?
Not really?
Maybe I've misinterpreted your tone or intention but I read that as criticising the players is fair game but not the manager.
Yes, you misinterpreted.
We played better then last year in a lot of games but I don't think you see it that way.
Our pressing is still quite poor for a top side, but we have marginally improved in that department. I think our best football came post-COVID-break last session. Since then, we've struggled to consistently put together those types of performances.
So you expect us to topple city without making any new additions then?
Don't see any reason why not. As I've said, our squad is not as poor as Redcafe would have you believe.
As weird as it sounds, I cannot see why this is not possible.
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Then you are just overrating our squad and underrating City's big time. I won't say we have a poor squad, we have a good squad who should be finishing in top 4 comfortably but to expect them to topple city is a huge ask. One or two quality additions then maybe.
Wait.. You don't see why it's not possible, then follow up with "with a few additions"?
I think the issue is that Ole is seen as a complete joke by a-lot of oppo fans etc, so yeah, no one predicted us to finish anywhere decent due to them seeing Ole as a waster.
Game Range | Wins | Draw | Loses | Clean Sheets | Goals For | Goals Against | Points | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First 44 Games | 21 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 72 | 54 | 74 | 1.7 |
Second 44 Games | 25 | 14 | 5 | 21 | 86 | 41 | 89 | 2.0 |
That's why I always say if we had Poch as our manager and had similar stats sitting in 2nd, many would have heaped praise on Poch and the squad. I feel a lot of criticism of Ole comes with the premeditated mindset that he is just a shit manager who is living his dream. I feel he is a decent manager who gets a lot of unfair criticism too. Yes he is not your pep or klopp but neither is he a shit manager.
I agree with your point. The point some here do not understand is, why there seems such insistence that, if we decide to switch managers (I am NOT advocating it), we could end up with somebody who is more than just decent? I agree with you, a lot of criticism is OTT (even though that applies to a lot of the praise sometimes as well) but not being a negative factor (see Mourinho in his late days) should not warrant some of the unwavering support that is displayed here. I think, that is the way to find some common ground again. Ole is not a shit manager, but there is nothing to suggest that he is such a good one that all search for good candidates should stop. I think literally noone here suggests us going for Allegri or some backward steps.
