Hobsons Choice

Realistically with respect to man management….probably yes. One if the issues with modern society is the pretence that everyone’s opinion is valid and equal, regardless of experience. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, sure, absolutely, but we should not pretend that everyone’s opinion has equal merit when comparing the comments of the experienced/knowledgable and the unexperienced. If you have managed people, you know more about management of people.

So drop Bailey (potentially a worldie), Ollie (we know his skillset) or Ings (whose goal/assist rate so far has been outstanding)? As much as I like Ramsey and McGinn, if we are to extract the full potential of this team, me need to find a way to accommodate our more creative options. Buendia is on paper potentially our most creative.

No, I get that, and I’m not saying Tuchel is not a good manager. My point was more that the job he took on with Chelsea was not the most difficult in world football. Which is why I’m surprised that he is getting so many plaudits so soon.

To be honest I’ve never understood the Tuchel wankfest. He’s taken a team that was massively underperforming under Frank, jizzed a bunch of money at the problem, and voila, they are a good team. Dean Smith could 100% have done the same with that squad.

I mean, there is plenty of ‘we wanted a cup run’ on here after the game but let’s face it, when is the last time anyone on these boards mentioned the EFL/Carabou Cup? I’ll warrant it was last year very shortly after we went out of the same competition. Think it’s probably more important to use the game to develop our younger players with a view to them making a mark in the Premier League. I’m sure there will be a time, very soon, when we will have progressed as a squad to the point where we are looking at cups as a way to bolster our trophy cabinet, and when the squad outside of our first team can compete and win these trophies, but we’re not there just yet.

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Anyone who has ever suggested that Allerdyce is much better than Smith needs a proper kick in the ghoulies. Really hard.

I can see your point, but it’s a hard heart that looks at good results against top teams and uses it to imply we’re not a decent team. I know you caveat that with the results against Watford (when we had no players) and Brentford (still ahead of us in the league), but still… To beat Liverpool 7-2 you must not be too bad.

Agree to disagree. That was a 50-50 for me. If that happens anywhere else on the field, and the outcome is not a penalty, that would not be a free kick.

Indeed.

I would say so. That penalty was soft as shite. Armstrong fell over before he could be fouled. He even retained possession of the ball while prone.

‘Completely-Looking-For-It’ is Ronaldo’s middle name.

It was never a penalty. 50 50 and Armstrong fell over.

He knew VAR was there, so by making the harshest decision he could get VAR to look at it, taking the decision out of his hands. Or at least allowing him a second/third look on the monitor. It was responsibility avoidance really. Ultimately the right decision was made, but it screwed over the fans by making them wait etc. That said if you have VAR, people will use it.

How was the atmosphere? Was not there today, but watching MOTD, it seemed amazing. Almost deafening.

That’s my understanding of the rules. Hope SJM is ok.

On the Lansbury thing. The clips i’ve seen give very little context. Based solely on those clips it looks like about 4 red cards.

Probably been said already but I’m just watching MOTD. Ivan Toney is f**king brilliant.

I know what you mean though.

Him?

No idea who you are referring to.

You do realise that Bailey has made you Villatalk royalty! All hail the king!

Oh boy am I! Great result!!!

Can someone please Kenneth Williams this post please? Thx.

We’ll win this 1-0 boys, don’t stress. All good.