Cizzler

At AFCON

Ah yes, James picked up by that massive Qatari club Al-Rayyan. Clearly his performances for Everton put him in their window. If Coutinho is motivated, he’ll be an unbelievable signing. He’ll be the most talented player in the squad by a country mile.

From The Athletic article on Cash and Poland: Food was initially a concern. Cash has a personal chef in England and sticks to a carefully structured diet, but there was no need for any special requests. If anything, he liked what was on offer — often a wide selection of cold meats, lentils, other sources of protein and fresh fruit — even more. Whether it was the nutritional boost or just a general enthusiasm that helped him impress during the week is open to discussion. What does not need to be debated was the quality he showed in training, especially his first session, that Sousa described as “really fantastic”.

Thoroughly underwhelmed Would rather have kept Smith. Complete gamble on a manager who’s proven nothing winning one title in 3 years in a two team league (and has been the biggest spender by far). Purslow got what he wanted. I feel a lot more detached from Villa after this to be honest.

There’s genuinely no way Gerrard is the best candidate for this job. Manger shortlist plucked from Purslow’s Christmas card list. Pathetic appointment. Losing Grealish, Smith and now hiring this unproven Scouse clown. Christ what a grim few months. Finding it really hard to warm to the club at the moment.

Gerrard’s Rangers have been the SPL’s biggest spenders every year he’s been the there. I’m sorry but beating a depleted Celtic team who’ve lost Tierney, Edouard, Ajer., Frimpong, etc. over the years whilst considerably outspending the rest of the league just isn’t impressive. Anyone here honestly think Smith couldn’t win the SPL on the biggest budget? I was calling for Smith’s exit in the emotions after the Southampton game - but if it’s to bring Gerrard in, then that’s thoroughly underwhelming. Would’ve kept Dean 100 times out of 100. The sickening Liverpool love-in. The short-term aspect of the appointment (he’s either shit or good and goes to Liverpool). He’s completely unproven as a manager. This move would underline the board’s complete lack of direction/idea (which accompanies their activity in this summer’s transfer window tbh). Aren’t we supposed to want to be challenging for Europe? Spurs are in the ECL and bring in Conte, we’re looking at Stevie G. Depressing.

People’s expectations for our new manager now are a lot higher than they were when we were recruiting from 17th in the Championship. I personally don’t care whether the manager has won a tinpot league in Europe. PL experience matters, which is why I’d prefer Hasenhuttl, Potter or AVB.

Haha it didn’t, but not sure it really matters anyway.

I said first XI in my original post.

Good. I hope he is. Unproven manager and a scumbag of a human. If Houllier’s infatuation with Liverpool upset us, this will be sickening.

Every single player in our first XI is more expensive than their counterpart in the Brighton or Southampton team. It’s “facile” just to look at their win rate like you did and ignore the constraints within the clubs they’re operating. I’m not sure we even massively disagree. I’m not enamoured with any of the options. Obviously I’d prefer Simeone or Ten Haag, it’s just cuckoo land. I think these two are the best of the ‘realistic target’ bunch.

So excluding the last transfer window (where we spent £100m) we’ve still outspent Brighton? How is that a counter point, this forum man.

Er, what. Is this by some whoscored.com metric or something. He isn’t in the top 100 right backs in Europe. He’s dreadful.

The biggest signing Southampton have made in the last 3 seasons is Danny Ings (£20m) and they lost him this summer anyway. Dean Smith has £200m of talent + Jack Grealish. Sure, Southampton had bad runs in that time - but RH clearly turned it around. Again, we’ve massively outspent Brighton. It’s not apples to apples. They both set-up their teams to play attractive but competitive football. I don’t think either manager will be the second coming - but either would be a smart appointment. Rather that than take a risk on an unknown like Terry/ Gerrard and get relegated.

If Gerrard does well, he will be off to Liverpool in two years. I don’t see the point. Surely the owners want someone who can buy into the project at least mid-term. I don’t want Gerrard anyway, I really don’t see how he’s any better than Smith.

Hasenhutl or Potter. These two are both proven at PL level and set-up to play nice football.

Please says he’s **** off too. Have nightmares he’ll be in charge for Brighton.

It’s just immature/ classless. Behaving like a teenager posting sarcy emojis on Twitter. If he was actually half decent he wouldn’t have been bombed out. He’s living in the clouds if he thinks he’s a PL player, he’s atrocious.

Yeah strange post. Nowhere near PL quality, nothing to do with Smith. Moron.

Why would we have heard? Norwich had lined up to sack Farke before the Brentford game (regardless of the result, obviously) - it wasn’t reported anywhere.

I’m not pushing a lazy narrative. Read my post properly before suggesting that. I said Potter gets more from less resources. Compared first XI’s this weekend below. TLDR; Our team cost £100m more this weekend. That’s without Ings/Traore, Sanson and Konsa who would increase the total value and average if they’d have started. Martinez (£16m) Cash (£14m) Mings (£20m) Tuanzebe (£5m loan fee) Targett (£14m) McGinn (£3m) Nakamba (£11m) Buendia (£35m) El Ghazi (£8m) Watkins (£31m) Bailey (£29m) Total: £186m / average player £17m Sanchez (academy) Lamptey (£3m) Veltman (£900k) Duffy (£5m) Dunk(academy) Cucurella (£16m) Bissouma (£15m) Mwepu (£20m) March (academy) Lallana (free) Maupay (£20m) Total: £80m / average player £7M I’m sure you could use the net income from Grealish to portray we’ve invested less overall, or whatever. My point is I think Potter gets more out of cheaper players. Although I’m sure a lot of managers would get more than Smith has these last 5 games tbf.

The Brighton xG stat last season became a bit of a meme, but they were incredibly unlucky some games. It’s not a surprise they are doing better. They lost a big player for big money this summer too, difference is Potter can actually set a team up.

His team gets more points, playing better football with worse players and much, much less resources.

Lose 7 on the bounce and it’s still only “think” about a new manager? Christ alive. He has to go, no room for sentiment. The performances have been rotten. He’s taking us down.

Potter is streets ahead of Smith.