PL 2018-2019 Thread

[theforceuk]

I've just seen Wenger touted as favourite! That would be interesting

I've joked about this happening. Wenger's next job at a club that needs a top 4 finish, wants to play attractive football and is in the knock out stages of the Champions League. :lol:

I think your giving Real Madrid more credit than they deserve in saying they wont take Jose back. This is Real Madrid we're talking about Weasel.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1060559/Jose-Mourinho-Guillem-Balague-Real-Madrid-Man-Utd-sacking

 

[SAVORY100]

Guardian's top tips:

Zinedine Zidane
Mauricio Pochettino
Didier Deschamps
Laurent Blanc
Ryan Giggs

Shocked to not see Alan Curbishley or Fat Sam on the list... You'd think given his success on I'm a Celeb that Harry would at least get a mention! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I really don't think Poch will be let go, for once Levy seems hell bent on retaining someone rather than making a quick buck....and post Xmas he may well be in a title (yes I'm already regretting typing that) race if you look at the games for the top three between now and March.
Really can't see it being Wenger either, too much rivalry with Arsenal to contend with and he said when he left he wouldn't go there and I have to believe he's a man of his word..
Zidane gets my bet.

 

[theforceuk]

Carrick not taking over till end of season someone from outside the club. Big Sam! :lol:

 

[weasel]

Wenger!? No chance.
Giggs would be madness, FFS he lost to Gus Poyet's Sunderland and has hardly set the world alight at Wales.
Lauren Blanc, meh. Utd probably need someone with more experience and more of a proven track record. I don't see them gambling on someone unproven given they ****ed up the last 3 appointments.
Deschamps? He was a nothing club manager and got lucky with France having such a great squad. Though he may actually be able to make Pogba look like a footballer.
Zidane? Dream on. Is he going to be dumb enough to take that job? Utd are a mess. The squad is shite. The club is run by a crack team of accountants and PR ppl. They won't be in next years CL barring a miracle and (sorry Utd fans) but they are a huge step down from Real. He doesn't need the money and why would he take the stress when he could wait and take a slightly cushier job in the summer. Assuming he even wants one. He hardly needs the money and no other manager has won the CL every year he managed a team.

Fat Sam is the man for Utd. He would have them playing better football. Actually, he WOULD have them playing better football. Plus Utd already have the big target men he loves, Lukaku and Fellaini. A match made in heaven!

On a more serious note, Levy is a businessman. He will sell anyone IF the price is right. If Utd come in during the summer with big money, Levy will lets Pochetino go. Especially if Poch gets pissed off with Levy refusing to spend money. I actually think Poch is the best man Utd could get. I hope they don't get him mind. I guess we'll see how worried Levy is by how much, if anything, he lets Poch spend in Jan. Another zero spend and who would blame Poch for getting ****ed off!?

 

[edd_jedi]

I guess we'll see how worried Levy is by how much, if anything, he lets Poch spend in Jan. Another zero spend and who would blame Poch for getting ****ed off!?

I think Jose has proven that wasting hundreds of millions on players that don't fit is worse than spending nothing. I would like to see Spurs strengthen their defence, but if nobody good is available in January I would honestly rather save the money. I don't really see transfers alone being enough to make him leave, but of course if Utd offer to double his salary then fair enough.

 

[weasel]

True, but at the same time not freshening up a squad or strengthening weaker areas can be a problem. New faces just lifts everyone, whether it be through fear of losing their place or just from the simple fact there is something/someone new in and around the team. I don't see Poch going out and spunking big money just for the sake of it. Nor do I see Levy letting him!

 

[theforceuk]

I've got a feeling it's going to be Blanc, very underwhelming. :?

 

[edd_jedi]

Solskjaer named as interim Utd manager!

 

[lejackal]

Solskjaer named as interim Utd manager!

I got told this earlier and from a PR perspective it makes sense. No expectations, well liked by fans etc etc but how does it work for his current club? Surely they won't want him to miss pre season or even the start of the season?

 

[weasel]

That's as underwhelming as they come.
He did worse at Cardiff City than that cock Womble Neil Warnock FFS!!!!

I understand the caretaker idea. It sounds like Utd are, finally getting their fingers out and, appointing a Director of Football. So the support network will be in place to allow them to find the best manager and to help him settle and rebuild the club. Plus, there aren't many proven managers available so wait until a suitable one comes along/can be pinched easier. But **** me, the manager of Molde!? Surely Utd could get someone a bit better than that? Gus Hiddink for a start. Jupp Heynckes would be another. There are plenty of managers who have a proven track record but who probably don't want the stress or hassle of the Utd job full time. Plus those two are both available. Give them a chunk of cash and tell them just to stabilise the club and finish as high up the table as possible. No real pressure. The fans will be happy enough if the football improves, even if results stay mediocre. Then in the summer they can announce the new guy and say "thanks very much Gus."
Solskjaer's only discernable quality is he knows the club. Wow. **** me, so does the tea lady, why not appoint her? She would be cheaper! Plus she would have the team playing better football than Jose did.

 

[theforceuk]

Yeah pretty underwhelming to say the least and jesus christ 6 years later they realise they need a director of football. At least things seem to be changing in the right direction. It's looking to me like Mauricio Pochettino wants the job, sorry Spurs fans. I think he's mad if he does take it, he's doing so well and once they move into the new stadium money will become readily available. I get he must be ambitious and wants to manage one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I wouldn't be happy leaving Sours without winning something big.

All this aside the best signing without a doubt and someone Moyes never should have got rid of is MIKE PHELAN.

One thing I would say about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is it's a bit harsh judging him on the Cardiff job, that job was to early for him IMO.

 

[weasel]

He's hardly set the world alight at Molde either.

As for Poch, I think he wants the Utd or Real jobs. But regardless of that he isn't stupid enough to rule himself out. He knows if he says nothing and refuses to rule himself out it will increase his bargaining power, both with Levy when it comes to Jan transfer budget and or a new contract, and also with Real should they decide to sound him out. Solari isn't gonna last beyond the summer and I suspect Real would quite like Poch. So all he is doing is playing three clubs off against each other.

 

[weasel]

And I would have to agree, once Spurs get in to the new stadium (sometime in 2027) they should be a much more appealing prospect than the shambles that is Utd. BUT, if someone can turn Utd round that club can probably go further than Spurs can. Although, turning them around will be a huge job and is it worth the hassle to be marginally better than he could make Spurs!?

 

[edd_jedi]

The papers all seem convinced it will be Poch, let's wait and see! He would have to clear out the entire outfield squad for his playing style to work there though.

 

[lejackal]

Spurs were the better team for large parts of the game but I do feel Arsenal had enough chances to have got a draw and subsequently penalties. Nice to see a strong team from both sides.

 

[edd_jedi]

Now this makes me happy :lol:

 

[Snaketibe]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[lejackal]

Now this makes me happy :lol:

7269D297-7931-4BF1-BEED-2F40CA15CAA3.jpeg

As much as I would hate to have to do that he is a despicable **** of the highest order so :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[edd_jedi]

It was actually a decent game and I agree Arsenal probably had more chances so it could have gone either way. For a change Spurs made the most of their few chances, that's how you win games. It was nice to see Poch focusing on the counter attack as his gung-ho approach a few weeks ago clearly didn't work. And as you say nice to see two pretty strong teams on the pitch too.

Would have been nice to have Burton in the semi final, but never mind.

 

[SAVORY100]

Very enjoyable game and not just due to the win!
Both teams quite evenly matched and both depleted in similar areas, so a relatively level playing field too.
Having said that the last game was far closer than the score line recorded IMO, so one of those things where one team gets the breaks (or didn't fold) and comes away with the win.

Feel relatively confident we'll meet Man City in the final, though I may come to regret typing that