Match Ratings Ratings vs Liverpool

[Lighty64]

if some of the players towards the end of the last season didn't look a little leggy, I would say because of the WC for many of our players training isn't so heavy, but the trouble is on the pitch we are looking slower and lacking any urgency and are very sloppy. also mentioned in another thread,

are contracts playing a big part?

the stadium going tits up has that caused Levy taking his eye off the ball with contracts, and putting in the effort to get some Poch targets?

what is messing with Kane, if it wasn't for similar at the end of last, even though he was more involved, is he knackered, or not over pushing it now in building up match fitness, or is Moura effecting his role?

 

[JimmyG2]

If player came on with 5 mins to go scores a hatrick and wins the game does that mean he can't win MOTM?

Who dat?
Sign him immediately.
I'm voting him MOM straight away.

 

[Gilzeanking]

I've read before that a lot of managers with a similar approach, I remember Guardiola when he left Barca as one good example, saying that they think that after about four years something has to change. Players have given everything they can to what the manager wants and need to ease off, whilst the coach is spent for ideas and struggles for that same voice to keep motivating the players. Evolution is needed, either on or off the field.....

As I say I have started to think about this more and more, and do think there is merit to this argument. Poch's philosophy and approach to the game is an extremely demanding one, I think it's inevitable that at some point change will have to be made - some of these players, especially as they get older, aren't going to be able to keep going again and again season after season, that youthful exuberance and energy and willingness to put in the hard work will decline, even if only relatively slightly. and these might well be cornerstone players at the heart of the team. The challenge will be successfully transitioning and making the decisions as to when and how its done. Now I don't mean this to sound all doom and gloom, and that everything needs ripping up and replacing, but with the dip towards the end of the season extending on into the new one, and some parts of the team looking in all honesty a bit stale, I do start to wonder more about the challenges ahead.....

Anyway, back to the short term. We simply badly need to regain some momentum, and firstly some energy and intensity to our play and rediscover that work ethic. Time for Poch to earn his corn.

Lot of good stuff from mr P but just to look at this aspect , I've always disagreed with the mantra on this board over the last few years that our team is young and will only get better....that we only have to wait for this maturity to kick in . No , for me each season is precious and this 'jam tomorrow' perception is flawed . Can't shake the feeling that the jaded vibe in the team since March is not going to get better .

 

[trevo]

Latin Americans played well and that was it. It can only get better once Kane, Trippier, Rose, Dier, Dembele, Dele, Eriksen et al get back from the World Cup. Sometime soon?