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#325788 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
#325170 2015/16 Champions League
bluemoon.
I'd prefer Bayern in the final to be honest. We've actually beaten them a few times in the last few years
#325141 2015/16 Champions League
bluemoon.
#325066 2015/16 Champions League
bluemoon.
#323609 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
That thought did cross my mind as I was writing that
#323586 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
Not saying he's great by any means but they're clearly getting something out of him. Kind of suggests Newcastle weren't getting the best out of him.
#323545 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
Not to me either. It does look like a pretty obvious case of scout(s) identifying under-valued/under-appreciated players though.
#323483 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
bluemoon.
I agree entirely, goalkeepers should know their place and stay rooted to the their line.
#323418 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
That stuff's only for the poncey, rich clubs. If you want to avoid relegation you need to rely on some bloke watching from the stand, every proper football man knows that.
Not got any links to hand but if I remember rightly, Leicester are one of the more analytics focused clubs in the Premier League, fairly certain Mahrez and Kante were identified, at least in part, because of it too.
Also, Sabremetrics != analytics.
#323332 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
bluemoon.
Yeah, I can't see Hart getting sold but it'd be amazing if Pep stuck with him as number 1. He's so bad on the ball it's ridiculous, hardly fits with Pep.
#323199 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
bluemoon.
#321467 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
At least one. Tosin Adarabioyo played alongside him in the FA Cup against Chelsea. He was better then, I fail to see how he wouldn't be better now. I absolutely do not expect Pellegrini to make that change though, to say he plays favourites would be a massive understatement.
A silver lining at least.
The job Pellegrini's done on us has been incredible.
I've been trying to tell people for ages!
Unfortunately the only person who really fits the bill there is Brian Kidd, and he's a bad manager in his own right.
Anyway, that went about as well as I expected. Though a little bit more slapstick than I thought and not as many goals either.
Pellegrini's a disgrace etc etc.
#320659 2015/16 Champions League
bluemoon.
Really enjoying how much City and United fans are trying to out-do each other in the pessimism stakes at the moment
#320332 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
Don't get me wrong, you lot are still pretty shit but we've not won back to back in the league since October, and we have the second worst record in the league against the top half (might be against the top 8 teams, can't entirely remember).
It's certainly a big factor. We only really have one good, reliable central midfielder.
#320333 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
#320316 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
I'm not discounting them entirely, I'm sure they've had some effect within the club, but when the problems have been going for as long as this, it's absurd to claim it's has only happened since Pep was announced as some have.
I don't agree 100% but you might be onto something. It does seem like City don't have the same capacity/willingness to dig deep and grind out wins over the last couple of years. For all the flaws, it was something we were very good at doing under Mancini, since Pellegrini came in we've found it harder and harder.
I'm less sure of the reason though, I'm doubtful that it's as simple as us not having enough bastards. It might help but we've not really had a wealth of bastards but we've generally done okay for players to give us that edge or step up when it was needed. De Jong, Kompany and Zabaleta were great for the more physical side whilst Dzeko, Aguero and Touré all had/have records of coming at big moments under pressure, even without a couple of those players and with a few years on the clock for the others, it's difficult to confidently blame any one factor.
I don't think it'll be that difficult to change for Pep to be honest I suspect finding the cause is more difficult than finding a solution and he doesn't have to worry as much about the cause. Given it looks like we're heading towards a major rebuild of the squad I suspect he'll get a large improvement through that alone. Get rid of Kolarov, Touré and a few of the passengers in combination with a slightly higher standard of management (being generous to Pellegrini here) and I think City will look a lot more imposing.
Anyway, whatever the answer, I'm fucking bricking it for the derby. I'd be absolutely amazed if we win.
Completely average afterwards too, apparently.
#320167 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
You could claim that as the reason. You'd be an idiot, though. He was poor last season, he's taken it to a whole new level this season.
We haven't won back to back league matches since October, that's fuck all to do with Pep.
I'd laugh.
#320150 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
#318226 Capital One Cup 2015/16
bluemoon.
Aye, and he didn't give you that blatant penalty you should have got either. Wait a minute...
#317025 The Great Managerial Merry-go-round guaranteed to entertain *not guaranteed
bluemoon.
I more or less agree, I just think taking it in the interim is the lesser of the two options.
Can't say I disagree with any of that to be honest.
#317024 FA Cup 2015/16
bluemoon.
Well that escalated quickly... Not that fussed overall but frustrating to be left short by the senior players - Demichelis and Caballero, in particular - rather than the kids.
Less that than the fact we have about 13 fit players, and we have a Champions League tie on Wednesday and a cup final next weekend. The FA Cup's always going to be the last priority in that combination.
#317012 FA Cup 2015/16
bluemoon.
Apparently there were some attitude problems. Could be bullshit though.
#316976 The Great Managerial Merry-go-round guaranteed to entertain *not guaranteed
bluemoon.
Theoretically, he has a lot to gain. Theoretically he could takeover this week and lead United to the title, that's not going to happen though.
Realistically, if he takes over the best he can really hope for is that he doesn't really do anything to harm his reputation - both at United and as a young coach. Given United's situation at the moment, it's going to be much easier for him to continue the form and have another disappointing spell. That's not going to do much for his reputation.
He's not in line to be given a massive job any time soon but he's still got a decent reputation, another dodgy spell as interim boss isn't going to do him any favours. Why would he want to risk his reputation for 3/4 months in the job? In terms of risk and reward, it's massively weighted towards the risk. It'd be worth it for a proper shot at it but for a few months there is nowhere near the same incentive, he may as well just bide his time and see what options he's got in a few months time.
Yeah, to an extent, but it's business. It's not like they'd be appointing him because he'd be the best option. They want a cheap and easy solution in the interim. They're looking after themselves, he's looking after himself. Seems reasonable to me.
Unsurprisingly. The media would fucking love it mind.
#316822 The Great Managerial Merry-go-round guaranteed to entertain *not guaranteed
bluemoon.
To be fair, I think that's just him being sensible. He's not got much to gain by taking it on an interim basis again, and I can't imagine he's keen to be used just to calm things down until the summer. Sounds more like a "thank you, but no thank you" to me.
#316037 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
The difference in performance isn't massively surprising when you consider Blind is in his second season for United and plays in one of the most risk averse systems in the league, whereas Otamendi is in his first season in one of the most shambolic defences in the league, and has spent most of the season playing next to Eliaquim Mangala or Martin Demichelis. It's hardly a recipe for success.
#314664 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
If you're not careful this'll devolve into a nuanced debate on the ethics and morality of consent.
Let's all just stick to calling Adam Johnson a nonce, it's far easier.
#311553 Capital One Cup 2015/16
bluemoon.
#305974 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
bluemoon.
#305938 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.
#305933 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
bluemoon.