Smn

To dare is to don’t

Yeah, I think I’m tagging along down that path too, if there’s room for one more.

On another note, I think Newcastle is turning into my most disliked team outside of the London rivals. I do hope we stay in the PL for next year and beat them twice. #COYS

Very very good!

Back to levels of inept I really hoped we had left behind. This was bleak. I hope for a strong second half, but at this point just to get some points so we don’t have to entertain the relegation discussion.

Yeah, I think this is it. Tactics, injuries, squad composition or not, the players look shellshocked.

Tottenham should have bought 11 players during the January transfer window to plan for the following injury crisis. Let’s keep that in mind for next year.

Is it me or do we hardly make any inviting offensive runs? It just seems like everyone is standing around waiting to see what the guy with the ball can do? #COYS

Oftentimes people comment just to vent their unspecific anger. One of my local newspapers do the "⬆️or⬇️" option for comments. The far outnumbered, but considered and level-headed comments, quite often win the ⬆️'s by a landslide. I always read your pieces after a game. I always appreciate them.

I think we have to take a chance on Souza if he is mentally ready. Randomly occurring injuries don't really care that we have half a team out already. So we need to assemble the squad on the fly to prepare for the next injury. And Souza looks like he could contribute with meaningful minutes.

I would really like some more clarity on what we are transitioning from and what we’re transitioning to - if this indeed always was meant to be a transitional season.

Thanks! Haven’t seen this before, but really liked it and recognize the elements you highlighted.

Terje Haakonsen refused to compete in the Olympics first time snowboarding got included partly for this reason. If I remember correctly, he said snowboarding would turn into something for «freestyle ballerinas». Guess he was onto something.

Sometimes it has surely felt like this rule is already well implemented.

Say I was a PL manager and had to navigate an absurd injury crisis, but final league position still only metric to judge me. If I could choose, would I take it in year one or year two? My guess is I’d prefer the latter. I am however not a PL manager so what do I know.

I agree with this. Squad clearly stronger than then. But on that note I also think it matters that Frank had this simmering from day 1. Son left, and three major team pillars out injured, two of them still out. Ange had one season with the players to build a core before the mayhem set in.

I think he speaks to his players just as much as to us in his post match comments. And I think this must be awful for the players. For many of them, the second season in a row fighting against absurd odds. And for them, I can actually see that the messages recognizing that they try is important.

Just terrible. And the suspensions and injuries just accumulate minutes and pressure on those left to play. Actively working against a positive trend. No room for players to rest up, select those in form, rotate by competition and all that which promotes improvement. Stuck in a spiral.

I am 100% with you on this one.

As cursed as last season. I really want us to have a season where we actually get to compete on equal terms. I just can’t pass judgement on players or Frank when it is like this.

I appreciate the nuance. Agree this one was more unlucky than malicious. I still think it is interesting to compare with Palhinha who to me is an equally or even harder tackler, but seems to be able to avoid the direct reds - might be coincidentally though.

Just can’t see how any appeal should lead to much on that one.

OK. What would you have done then?

3

Yes. Top class. I hope the clip illustrates: 1) Xavi can unpick through passing on top of his weaving runs. 2) Adaption to PL pace now gives him that split second to spot and hit them passes. 3) Solanke's qualities to invite and receive those passes boosts up our attacking options.

Yes. I’m ready to be labeled a happy-clapper, but I can’t help feeling some arrows are tilting upwards. Several players have taken major strides. The desire is still there. More runs. More initiative. Still lots to improve, but half the team is actually out injured.

Certainly share that observation. First half was baaad. We sat back but so much room for city to run the midfield. Maybe the tactics didn’t work in the first half. Maybe the midfield we ran didn’t get it right.

My view is that we from the start of this season have had some established players and many with huge potential. Several of them have taken big steps and adjusted into the league, into the team and definitely gained a step or two. Maybe some things actually requires some time.

First half I started thinking the players had checked out. Further concern when Cuti didn’t show for second half. Then we got that 2nd half. Something to build on. Spirit and fight. Players haven’t quit. Fans got loud. There is still hope #COYS

We have half a team out injured and that’s been the case for some time. It is very understandable if the players tire and can’t go full speed for full 90. I have also seen that movie before.