The Mauricio Pochettino thread

[Gb160]

Zidane all but confirmed for a Real Madrid return. Never worried me...

Where is that from mate?, any links?

 

[jurgen]

Permanent for sure. It also basically means Hazard is going to Real in the summer. Tier 1 sources have said before that Zidane wanted Hazard for several years and I would imagine that that, at a minimum, was one of the conditions to go back again. I'd also imagine that would mean Bale is off.

How strange, both him and Jardim this season doing the hokey cokey

 

[dtxspurs]

Nobody thinks he has to change the formation constantly due to the players available and their abilities? The diamond specifically he is dropping Eriksen deeper to help out in there cause he doesn't trust Winks/Sissoko/Dier the same way he trusted Dembele/Dier/Wanyama. He's trying to scrape by this season because he knows he's got a shit deal with no new players and a busted squad.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

The Zidane news, coupled with Solskjaer being impossible not to hire at this point, is great for us, at least for now.

Back him well this summer with 2/3 players who can realistically compete in the first team and next season looks rosy regardless of what European competition we are in.

 

[Seafordian Spurs]

Poch Stays 4eva now trending on all social media platforms such as Bebo, Friendster and Lycos Linkup.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

Trippier and Aurier 100% would be in the liverpool team, they have literally no RB's and even then their first choice RB was a youth player they were willing to develop whereas we won't allow ours to go out on loan nor play meaningful minutes. Applying the same logic liverpool have no Striker, quality CB outside of Van Diyk and RB after getting rid of Clyne. You know our problems because you watch us week in week out but the teams around us have the same issue

The idea that that starting 11 is weaker than Liverpool and Man City is silly as well, there is a strong case we have a weaker squad. We have a first 11 that is amongst the best in the country. We currently have holes in CM and RB but the rest of the starting 11 is amazing.
Kane
Alli --- Eriksen --- Son
Dier -- Winks
Rose -- Vertonghen - Alderweireld -- Trippier
Lloris

Now outside of Trippier and Winks, also potentially Dier, that is a great first 11.

Do you apply the same logic to the squads of Liverpool, United and Arsenal.

There is this bullshit idea that on this forum, that you need players of a high standard that are of top 4 quality to deserved of the position. Yet other teams are littered with players who aren't exactly of that standard.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Kellher, Lovren, Gomez, Moreno, Milner(solid player but a level below Rose imo at his age), TAA, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Chamberlain, Lallana, Origi, Sturridge - 13 players

Arsenal: Cech, Holding, Lichtsteiner, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Mustafi, Lucas, Sokratis, Elneny, SHIT MOST OF THEIR FUCKING SQUAD Only PEA, Lacazette, Leno(me being kind), Ozil(me being kind), Kosceilny, Bellerin and Mkhitaryen, are even possibly considered of being decent and I rather have some of our scrubs than their star players. Actually if their manager gets 3rd place, he should get manager of the year lol.

Man Utd: Lindelof, Jones, Smalling, Mata, Grant, Lingaard, Perira, Rojo, Fred, Young, dalot, Herrera, Shaw, Valencia, Romero, Fellaini, Darmain - 17 players.

The point is, we are about the same level Liverpool maybe slight below but every squad has holes, so that can't be used as an excuse. The fact we didn't spend anything doesn't negate the fact, that we didnt make it worse either(except the dembele transfer).

Liverpool's CB's options: Van Diyk, Matip, Lovren, Gomez
Liverpool's RB options: TAA, Gomez then milner
Liverpools Strikers: Sturridge, Origi and an out of position Firmino(who plays a false 9)

We have these holes in our squads but so do the teams around us, so that cant be always used as an excuse. Liverpool fans are criticising Klopp for getting rid of Clyne on loan when they have no RB at the moment.

I disagree with the players you've used at rival clubs compared to the 13-14 I feel are only decent squad/ backup players. Let's look at it:

You highlighted:

Liverpool: Mignolet, Kellher, Lovren, Gomez, Moreno, Milner(solid player but a level below Rose imo at his age), TAA, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Chamberlain, Lallana, Origi, Sturridge - 13 players

Personally I think of that list Gomez, Milner, TAA, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Chamberlain, Lallana & Origi are better than the 14 players I've highlighted that prop up our squad numbers.

You said:

Arsenal: Cech, Holding, Lichtsteiner, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Mustafi, Lucas, Sokratis, Elneny, SHIT MOST OF THEIR FUCKING SQUAD Only PEA, Lacazette, Leno(me being kind), Ozil(me being kind), Kosceilny, Bellerin and Mkhitaryen, are even possibly considered of being decent and I rather have some of our scrubs than their star players. Actually if their manager gets 3rd place, he should get manager of the year lol.

Personally I think Xhaka, Sokratis are decent enough for a top 4 challenge. The others you've highlighted are backups who don't start when their team is fully fit so it kind of proves my point. Take the 2 that I've highlited out and it leaves them with 6 decent squad players compared to the 14 I've highlighted based on my own personal opinion.

You said:

Man Utd: Lindelof, Jones, Smalling, Mata, Grant, Lingaard, Perira, Rojo, Fred, Young, dalot, Herrera, Shaw, Valencia, Romero, Fellaini, Darmain - 17 players.

Peronally I think Smalling, Mata, Lingaard, Fred, Young, Herrera, Shaw are better than the 14 squad players I highlighted that prop up the numbers. Take away Fellaini as he's no longer at Man U and that takes the number you've highlighted from 17 down to 9.

We have 9 very good footballers that can hold their own but 14 that are probably at Everton's level, meaning we have at least 2 players not on the same level as the good ones each week. With the injuries we've had this season (we've only been able to field Eriksen, Dele, Son & Kane 6 times in 42 or so games and our strongest defence which I believe is Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld & Aurier have not started a single match together). Sometimes we are left with 4-5 players that aren't cut out for a top team.

Aurier, Trippier, Davies, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lucas, Lamela, Llorente, Janssen don't offer anything long term. Foyth, Sanchez, Skipp, Winks are promising young players but not ready to step up and be leaders of the team. We are bottom heavy with decent, stable players and not enough game changers IMO. That's why when Eriksen, Dele or Kane have an off day we have nothing to fall back on that is safe in supply. Llorente, Lamela & Lucas have helped but they don't get many minutes when the others are fit, there is a gap between quality and adequate larger than most top 4 squads.

The club needs to move on 3-4 so so squad players and bring in 1 top player, a couple of good and automatically our strength all over would improve. We should have done far more last window as we made our season an uphill struggle but equally I understand why the club didn't with finances and transfer fee inflation. A couple of promising youngsters would have been fine by me

 

[midoshairband]

The Zidane news, coupled with Solskjaer being impossible not to hire at this point, is great for us, at least for now.

Back him well this summer with 2/3 players who can realistically compete in the first team and next season looks rosy regardless of what European competition we are in.

or, Levy will think ‘he’s got nowhere better to go, no meed to back him now’.

anyhow, PSG could still be a possibility. but having said that, they seem to be hell bent on sacking a manager if they don’t win the champions league, so hiring Poch to win them the champions league wouldn’t make sense.

 

[mil1lion]

Nobody thinks he has to change the formation constantly due to the players available and their abilities? The diamond specifically he is dropping Eriksen deeper to help out in there cause he doesn't trust Winks/Sissoko/Dier the same way he trusted Dembele/Dier/Wanyama. He's trying to scrape by this season because he knows he's got a shit deal with no new players and a busted squad.

I'm not sure he doesn't trust those 3. It's just clearly not enough depth in a crucial part of the pitch. For me we need to replace Wanyama and of course Dembele. If we do that then we can truly decide on his choice of formation. At the moment it's just a matter of being short of options so he's had to use Eriksen deeper. Although Eriksen was pushed further forward again with Dier back. I think defensive midfield is a key part of his setup and the injuries to Dier and lack of fitness of Wanyama have caused the biggest issue.

I think the Sissoko situation is tricky too. He's been in great form this season although seems to have been overplayed due to lack of alternatives so his form has dropped. The trouble is he's not really a central midfielder per se but more a right inside midfielder. He suits either a central 3 or can play as a right midfielder/wing back (his lack of quality in the final 3rd means he can't play right attacker though). It seems that only Winks and Dier/Wanyama would fit into a central 2 without leaving us too open. I think that's why Poch has tried a central 3 of Winks, Eriksen and Sissoko. Although you dont get the best of Winks that deep either, but again he didn't have much choice.

People have often criticised him for picking Dier so often in the past. The trouble is though he hasn't had Wanyama to choose from. In terms of the dynamic of the team I think Dier has been crucial. We just dont have suitable competition for him when his form drops or he gets injured.

 

[seppo]

Where is that from mate?, any links?

At the time that I wrote that it was from Pederol or whatever the guys name is, he's tier one for Real. Now basically everyone, including France Football, BBC etc have reported it. It's nailed on

 

[carmeldevil]

At the time that I wrote that it was from Pederol or whatever the guys name is, he's tier one for Real. Now basically everyone, including France Football, BBC etc have reported it. It's nailed on

Can you tell us if Pederol has predicted lottery numbers? Thanks

 

[Krule]

Can you tell us if Pederol has predicted lottery numbers? Thanks

Balague says he will be appointed today and training them tomorrow....he's usually a reliable source.

 

[danielneeds]

Super news about Zizou. Means the summer will be a little bit calmer.

 

[thebenjamin]

Zidane signed until June 2022 official

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Team played Poch out of a move this summer...

 

[TheChosenOne]

Tabloids made to look extremely stupid once again with their bullshit clickbait stirfest.

 

[robertgoulet]

Super news about Zizou. Means the summer will be a little bit calmer.

Until Tuchel is canned

 

[JCRD]

Poch aint going anywhere - Manure have Ole and ZZ is back with RM.

Hopefully Levy doesnt take this for granted and actually backs him to the hilt.

 

[JCRD]

Team played Poch out of a move this summer...

I bet Levys like great - no need to back the Poch

His smile bigger than in your avatar

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Jesus motherflippin’ Christ. Poch has made mistakes, like just about every manager ever. But he’s transformed us from a team that use to occasionally and tentatively flirt with the top four, to finishing strongly in there over the last three seasons. Until this season, we’ve been fucking great all things considered. His brand of football has been absorbing and breathless at times. If he goes, I guarantee people with be pissing themselves with rage and despair by early next season- it’s madness to wish him gone given the financial constraints we operate under.

If we fuck up CL qualification, I, like everyone else will seeth and whine but he still gets another shot in my book. What we do need is a very clear and realistic transfer strategy this summer- one where we take a few more risks to ensure we procure the type of players he actually wants. If this means playing a different game with agents, then Levy needs to change his policy and get it done. Poch has saved millions and millions in developing raw talent over the last few years- the club needs to back him in genuine ways, not offer him mediocre players that will do very little for the squad to push on

 

[shelfboy68]

Jesus motherflippin’ Christ. Poch has made mistakes, like just about every manager ever. But he’s transformed us from a team that use to occasionally and tentatively flirt with the top four, to finishing strongly in there over the last three seasons. Until this season, we’ve been fucking great all things considered. His brand of football has been absorbing and breathless at times. If he goes, I guarantee people with be pissing themselves with rage and despair by early next season- it’s madness to wish him gone given the financial constraints we operate under.

If we fuck up CL qualification, I, like everyone else will seeth and whine but he still gets another shot in my book. What we do need is a very clear and realistic transfer strategy this summer- one where we take a few more risks to ensure we procure the type of players he actually wants. If this means playing a different game with agents, then Levy needs to change his policy and get it done. Poch has saved millions and millions in developing raw talent over the last few years- the club needs to back him in genuine ways, not offer him mediocre players that will do very little for the squad to push on

What is with all this poch going shit he isn't leaving nor should he but he needs to sort himself and the team out because his formations and tactical decisions have been baffling and not good enough at time's.
But for what he has done battling against no investment for over a year and trying to compete with his hands tied means he is in credit for me but needs proper backing which is unlikely to measure himself properly against his peers.