Yeah no doubt I share the same opinion on that one. They’ll probably keep him - it’s the wrong choice, but they will do it. For them it’s necessary to get 4th next season too. But what about the average fan who hates to see his beloved team play like shit? No fucks given eh…
The thing is, if we finish 4th this season, it’s a total regress compared to the 2 previous seasons.
2019-20: 4th place La Liga, EL trophy, Round of 16 CDR
2020-21: 4th place La Liga, Round of 16 CL, Semis CDR
2021-22: Projected 4th place La Liga, group stage 3rd place CL, Round of 16 EL, Round of 16 CDR
Play style = same for 3 seasons.
This is how it’s measured in real life football. Points, goals scored and conceded, possession, number of throw ins, number of corners, red cards, free kicks etc. mean fuck all after the above facts - all BS meaningless stats.
Plus I could strongly argue about 2019-20 and 2020-21 being more successful even if we’d finish 3rd this season, with the European and CDR failure in tact.
He (YEN) is not the only striker we have. We have other options, perhaps less orthodox, but in the circumstances when your main option up front is clearly not working out you must try other things, eg playing a false no.9 and have a more fluid attacking play with quicker, sharper link-up and one-twos on the ground near and in the box.
Play a proper front three, not a sole striker with two other players who are told to play more like advanced midfielders than forwards.
Again another disappointing performance and result. I didn’t watch the game as I was out with friends. Just seen the highlights though. It’s not good and I agree that change is needed imminently.
Twitter around Monchi getting quite the load as well. Looks like more people are not as positive. How come, how weird? No real fans of course like. Don’t express worries, don’t be critical, and don’t have a different opinion, don’t wish the best to the club you love and try to look for new, positive or different directions to take the club. Better accept all the mismanagement.
Just cheer, and be optimistic guys, like real fans according to Steve.
Lopetegui got a lot of stick in the stadium friends tell me … but twits on twitter should not be criticizing Monchi, for the love of god, is nothing sacred ?
I also think Monchi should not be criticized for all of this. He believed in Lope just like we all did… and I’m pretty sure Monchi will find a way to get us back to the golden era again.
I’m not saying it’s justified, but it’s the social platform were people go to vent their opinions and it’s not just the ‘vocal’ minority anymore. And Monchi being quite active I guess, makes it the receiver of many of those. I agree he’s out of question in my opinion as well, but I think most worry about how long will we keep going this same road, or we wait till we find our faces on the dashboard at the roadblock.
This is why i liken football to religion, because it’s only faith that keeps me watching sometimes. If i’m not somewhat optimistic, i’m wasting my time.
But Enrico, you’re so adamant that one can’t see it both ways? Criticizing Lope, while still thinking things can get better shouldn’t be a sin.
Definitely shouldn’t, and it isn’t. However, even optimism has to be based on something. What are we basing our optimism on with Lope? EL triumph of 2 seasons ago in an unusual format after a long pandemic break, with Banega on super-top-form and LDJ looking like Lewandowski? Playing really well in 2-3 matches out of 50+ in a season?
I really don’t know where that optimism comes from. I’ve stated the facts above, the only results and stats that matter in football. No progress there whatsoever, so I don’t know.
There was even an article in VMS mentioning the finances in case of finishing 4th, compared to finishing 2nd - there was a 14 million difference, and considering we’ve crashed out of CL and EL early, this isn’t a progress even from a shareholders perspective, if we want to talk business.
The fact is that Lope couldn’t beat the 2019-20 season achievements.
I could only speak for myself here, but i’d be liar if i said there wasn’t a bit of self-imposed delusion. The phrase is ‘Nunca se rinde’ right?
Now, we’ve seldom seen great games from this team, and for the most part, we get in our own way. I’ve seen Lope try to make changes (albeit a bit late), but I know he’s willing to adapt. I think the small things that need to change can be done with the right player(s) coming into this system. A player important enough for even the manager to change a few things. But then you ask me how long it took for Papu to play in his natural position on a regular basis?
I still can’t believe we currently in 2nd. When you factor our bad play for a lot of the season. We have been very lucky with other results going our way this season. I think the club and lope has cast a spell on the other rival clubs bar Real Madrid haha
