22 Feb 2025 22:27:27
Youngest squad in the league. You tell them they're not title contenders, and they'll believe you. You tell them they're years away from contending and they'll believe that too.
The downturn in form, starting with the Everton draw, is not just coincidentally linked to Maresca's comments. Yes, he can make mistakes, he can say the wrong things, but it's his apparent inability to correct it that will, for me, be his downfall.
22 Feb 2025 23:16:57
The trouble is J, Maresca is inexperienced himself and should be nowhere near our club at this stage in his career.
22 Feb 2025 23:20:46
That was his big mistake, should of just said anything can happen in football.
There is only one really good team in this league and that is the scousers, we could still end up 4 or 5th but belief needs to be restored, big week coming up.
23 Feb 2025 08:27:08
I 100% agree Bill, and the blame for that lays firmly at the feet of our co sporting directors. Unless there's a dramatic upheaval in form, I honestly don't see how they keep their jobs this summer.
But, the owners need to sort out their differences before a clear vision can be put in place. Whether it's Boehly buying out Clearlake, or the other way round, there's a sense that, after unprecedented outlay and no UCL football, we'll be starting again this summer.
23 Feb 2025 10:07:36
Seymns, I agree there has only been one consistent team in the premiership this season.
I’m not sure it’s reasonable to think that one comment about us not being title contenders changed the dynamics of our season. I think the major issue was the loss of a blossoming CH partnership plus the repetition of tactics.
23 Feb 2025 10:17:37
J
I totally agree.
The problems start at the tip. Joint ownership never ever works as each have their own agenda.
Thar also applies when you have more than one SD.
The summer I think will see a complete overhaul but for this to happen properly, the SD"s need to go now so that the new incoming SD has the opportunity to view the squad available and yo research new players.
What definitely needs to happen is more experienced players coming in to supplement the spine but they need to be quality players.
At the end of the season, Maresca goes. It is quite clear that his tactics as with Guardiola are a thing if the past and football is evolving. Fans are fed up of players taking 20 passes just to get out of the GK's penalty box, never mind the area.
Lastly, like J has stated, the ownership issues needs resolving as uncertainty filters down the line right through to Gladys the tea lady.
23 Feb 2025 10:42:26
So let’s say the so called “ownership issues” get resolved, let me know the guarantees of it being better?
I am of the opinion it could be one hell of a lot worse!
23 Feb 2025 11:54:12
We've got a group of owners who are divided into sections, who don't agree on much and are making attempts to buy each other out.
They've spent the largest amount of money over a three year period in the history of the sport, without anything to show for it - haven't managed UCL qualification, let alone win a trophy. We were champions of Europe a short period before they bought the club.
They employed, and continue to employ co-sporting directors, who have made terrible decisions for both the pitch and the dugout.
Sorry, but, other than a relegation battle, I'm not sure how it gets too much worse Tom.
23 Feb 2025 12:31:00
Tom who knows if it would get better, maybe not with sole ownership by Clearlake.
As regards it could be worse Tom, the season is not finished yet.
I will still stand by my mid table finish.
23 Feb 2025 15:29:48
Yes we were a very successful club under RA but before that we were nothing special as far as winning things was concerned.
There is nothing to say we will win anything for the next ten/ twenty years. After all, look how much the spuds have spent for just one league cup win in about the last twenty seasons.
We may well finish mid table and that would be a massive failure in mh eyes but I can wait until the end of the season before losing my rag!