₦airaland Forum

airmark:
Did you follow the matic issue well? Even in a press conference, when asked why he sold matic, he angrily told the journalist to ask the club that question.

Why he sold Matic or why Matic was sold to United?

My issue is I feel his anger was about where Matic went to.

Ibime:
What is your point? You claimed Conte was happy to sell Matic, you were proved wrong, now you are switching argument to the club which no one is arguing with you.

I am struggling to see the logical direction of your argument like one Angel we have here.

I actually said Conte deemed Costa and him unnecessary AKA surplus to requirements and not that he was "happy" to see him leave.

I also reported that Matic said Roman let him go to United as a gift. Which means, someone else did not want him to go to United.

I don't know how they forced Matic off Conte's hands when the same Conte was planning to buy Drinkwater and Baka whilst Matic was there.

airmark:
Conte called it a great loss, yet you deemed him unnecessary. Selling to man utd, was annoying too, but I don't think conte fully wanted him to go.

"Matic knows very well what I think about him.

The importance for me about this player, who is a really good player, a top player, very important for our team, but sometimes you must accept this crazy transfer market.

'And sometimes you must accept different decisions. But he is a great loss for us."

Conte is a sly man, I'd give him that.

He saw a player that he felt was absolutely necessary to his plans but let the club sell said player to a rival yet before said player was sold, Conte was already lining up 2 players who play in said player's position.

Is it possible to check and see that Conte must have praised Costa even after Jan of 2017 only to sell him in August?

Ibime:
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Stop surmising with half-knowledge of the facts

Conte said and I quote "I wanted Bakayoko to learn under Matic."

Conte wanted Matic to stay. The club thought it was a good deal for a 29 year old with 2 years left on contract. Actually the club decision was correct, what was incorrect was their assumption that Baka is a like-for-like replacement.

The club thought it was a good deal, to sell Matic for £40M to a rival and then replace him with 2 players valued at ~ £70M.

Hmmm.

airmark:
Get your facts right, conte didn't deem matic unnecessary.

I remember I quoted where he queried his ouster here.

Conte signed Bakayoko before Matic was sold and rumours of Drinkwater were in the news long before Matic left.

Conte was unhappy that Matic was sold to United. He would have preferred him to be sold to Juve or out of the EPL but United offered the most money.

Matic said Roman let him go to United as a gift for his service/loyalty to the club.

Summarily, his grouse was that it was to United. Fin.

atheist5:
who did city sell? how much,we sold costa and matic and bought inferior players,bros check net spend,most of chelsea buy was replacement not addiction of quality and depth

Nasri, Nolito, Clichy, Kolarov, Iheanacho etc

Your manager deemed both players unnecessary before he sold them and he got more expensive replacements as well. I don't know what you are on about.

atheist5:
we also sold a lot of players too,check netspend

Netspend. Am I an accountant? Who is calculating money with you?

Did City not sell players too?

Ibime:
For where. City were out of title race by end of December

Yes, at the end of December they were 10 points behind CFC (49 points) in 1st, 4 behind LFC (43 points) in 2nd. Having lost to both teams that same month.

From that point on only Tottenham (47 points), Chelsea (44 points) garnered more points than City (40 points).

I doubt Roman would have sacked him with that form. But then, might explain why Roman is not as rich as Sheikh Mansour.

Ibime:
Abramovic don't care about that. He woulda sacked him in December.

I guess, we'd never know.

PS: City were first in December last year so....I doubt that as well.

Ibime:
Mourinho was within 3 or 4 points of 1st place.

No manager has ever finished that many points off 1st place at Chelsea and not get sacked especially after spending £200m or so.

The time it takes to lay foundation for an edifice and a bungalow are not the same. Some styles are easier to implement than others. Pep said it even before the season began.

Conte has spent more money this season and Chelsea don't look better than last time. I still tip CFC for 2nd place though.

Ibime:
He's have been sacked in his first season at Chelsea

From 10th to 3rd playing sexy football. I doubt it.

Chelsea without european commitments too and I doubt he would be lower than 2nd.

Mou's 2nd stint he finished 3rd his first season and was not sacked.

Roman wants to watch good dominant football.

Emaprince:
Who go swerve?

Mister man swerve inside gutter jare... You quoted me first.

LOL.

Quoted you first?

Blind and pathetic. Sod off.

Neymar1095:
Frank Lampard ‘ Pep brought a style we’ve
never seen before’

Frank Lampard is MENSA. Genius recognises genius.

Emaprince:
Use your head mister man.

No one is judging him for his shameful failures of last season. Just bringing it up due to the way you barka dogs are making so much noise about him winning now..as if this is not the same league some managers easily strolled to the trophy in their first try.

Why do your lord pep had to wait until he spend so much money? Lord conte won this league with the same team pep derided.

Bla bla bla. I use my head better than Oliver Bierhoff.

That is the only reply you deserve.

Swerve.

LOL


Other managers did not have Messi? Why are they not winning sextuples?

What is this inanity about first season? Where is Carlo Ancelotti with his first season? What happened after first season? I mean in Chelsea oh! Where is "Greatest EPL Manager" Fergie's first season title? What about Le Invicibles Professor Wenger's first season title?

You judge a manager over the course of his term in a club not after his first season. Infact, You'd have to be an irrational dolt to judge anyone over a limited time frame like one season when he might stay 5, 6 or 7 seasons there.

They have started.

Next thing; They are hurting parity in the league.

DevdanSanguine:
I knew a simpleton like you would misread what I wrote. Go and read again and this time slowly, if you still don't understand, get a 10 year old close by to help you understand. Geeez!

Oh no, you are the confirmed bucolic simpleton here who is sure to reproduce his 15th moniker when he takes another L following another prophetic goof.

We are waiting.

Lana1:
Yh...yh....yh....
Hypocrite this double standards that. "Lets not engage in any meaningless arguments". Yet any time Pep's name pops up in this section, u are always there like a slave at the beck and call of its master. I mean.....just look at this long áss epistle but u are advising people to not engage in dumb arguments.

U must be the stupíd one if u think i was one of those who ever said "If he knew the squad was not good why did he not change the players" coz i dont understand why u would generalise and assume i was ever in that category.

Mehn miss me with the búllshit motherfucker and stop throwing subtle shots my way if cant argue with sense

Brackish.

Eat chips with this.

Cleveland, Chicago articles? Eastern articles?

Against the journalists who would actually vote?

Oh my.

Fellow cules and well-meaning people should not be engaging in dumb arguments.

When Mou came to Chelsea he met a team that had finished 2nd and bought all the buyables then he won the league - great manager.

Came to Madrid and did fvckall his first season - he was figuring the league out.

Won the league the next season - he has closed the gap.

Lost the league again to Barca - he set them (RM) on the path to winning in future.

Came to Chelsea finished 3rd after spending more than Liverpool - he was figuring the league out.

Won the league his next season - he always figures the league out after a season. Great manager.

Got sacked - his players were at fault (same players another manager would use to win the league 1 season removed from their last fiasco).

Pep gets to England and inherits a dying team - raises them from 4th to 3rd (13 points better). He is a fraud. EPL exposed him. If he knew the squad was not good why did he not change the players.

Next season, changes the bad eggs and crushes everyone - he is only doing it because he spent. He flopped his first season.

You can't make this sort of flagrant stoopidity laced with contradictions and double-standards up. You should just read and ignore.

From the conditions that Pep is given to succeed you can tell he is the best. He is expected to not spend, not use good players and win everything on sight in his first try or else he is a fraud.

But every other manager can spend how they like. Win how they like. Play less games with alot of recovery time. Finish 6th. Not win a league in 2 tries. Use disgraceful tactics and still not win....yet still be regarded as great.

See Unai Emery spending like crazy yet he is not criticized. Nobody is saying anything. See managers that won league and now this season are struggling to stay 3rd and everyone is giving excuses for them.

What about the manager that they boasted about his 2nd season? Where is he? Yet they are making excuses for him.

Funny thing is if Pep won the league his first season they would say that he inherited a good squad from Pellegrini. Just the same way, if Jardin had left Monaco after last season everyone would have blamed the present coach for undoing Jardin's work.

If having good players was the precondition to winning and being praised why the double standard when it comes to Pep?

The reason is clear; It is the fruitful tree that keeps getting stoned at.

elampiro:
Did LVG ever finished above Manchester City? No

The fact is that City won the league more recently and have been very strong contenders. In 2015/2016 when they looked weak, they had injuries to their most important players- Silva, Kompany, Zabeleta. Even De Bruyne and Aguero were not left out.

Sometimes the team that has less injuries flourish. Leicester were able to win the league because their key players stayed fit. Same with City team of 2011/12. Currently the City team has stayed injury free unlike Manchester United.

On Mourinho at Madrid, whether you like it or not, Mourinho closed the gap. Ferguson played that Barca team four times, all were defensive, even the 2008 semi final legs.

But is it to defend Lukaku you people hate on Mourinho?

It is a shame. This is corruption.

Has Mou finished above Man City too? If he does not (which looks most likely) he would have spent 2 seasons like LVG without finishing above City.

City last won the league 2013/14 the year after Fergie left. So this assertion about them being more recent as winners albeit true is neither here nor there.

That team you call wonderful were 2nd after that and 4th; in other words, they were declining. You want to praise that team all of a sudden and claim Mou did not inherit a good team.

Rashford, Martial who brought/bought them? Luke Shaw? Who made De Gea stay back? Herrera? LVG was never given a chance yet you easily give Mou one with nothing to show for it.

This current city team without Mendy, Kompany, Aguero (at some point), Stones etc has stayed fit? Because you want to excuse Mou?

Again, this argument about closing gap can be made my Pellegrini but nobody made it for him because he stayed only one season. In Mou's 3 years in Madrid he won 1 league, 1 copa, 1 kings cup. In that time frame Barca won 2 league titles, 1 UCL, 1 CWC, 1 European Super Cup, 1 copa, 2 king cups. Closing the gap indeed.

And BTW, he was packing the bus as well even with RM against Barca.

I am not knocking on his acumen as a manager as he is up there. But you are giving excuses for him but would rather blame everyone else. This is corruption. This is diabolical.

elampiro:
One time out of how many meetings?

Even relegation team can sometimes have a good day.

Even Mourinho also beat City last season in FA cup. I don't count that as dominance

In 4 meetings over 2 seasons he beat them twice and drew Twice, LVG.

Mou beat City in Carling cup where they fielded their reserves.

Mou was 8 points or more behind Pep in his first season at Real and won the league by 9 points his next season 100 to 91 (largely because Barca lost the last game of that season). If you call that closing the gap it is simply because he was given time.

Pelle finished on 96 points his first and only season at Real to Barca's 99 yet nobody praised him for closing the gap even when the next manager, Mou escorted Pep to the league and UCL.

You say City were previous champs but that was only 1 season after Fergie retired. They finished 2nd and then 4th (equal points with LVG) just before Pep. LVG even won the FA Cup which is a bigger trophy than the Carling cup.

You are just excusing Mou and blaming the players - especially Lukaku- Unfairly.

raumdeuter:
Eruditor, ipopalomo

every knee must bow and every togue confess that Pep is the best

No need to gloat; we already knew he would spank the league. Me I am praying for lucky draws so he can atleast get to the UCL final too.

The insult he receives is why I am extra sympathetic to his plight. It is always a "tactical masterclass" when Mou wins Tottenham scruffily. But Pep will run circles around Mou and still be called a fraud.

I mean, Mou tried to use Herrera and Matic to man mark Silva and KDB. Pep moved Raheem to play false 9 and Mou's plan crumbled. Matic did not know who to mark between Raheem and KDB and United lost the counter offense they had planned.

Then pseudo analysts came on NL to say they won by luck or Lukaku assisted this or that United were afraid. They won't see that they were played off the park. I blame Bernardo Silva for scuffing 2 clear chances.

Notice how they have gone back to the argument of him spending money to win. Which is what I said they would always do. Very soon (say next season) the argument would be that any coach could have coached City to win the league and that he did nothing special.

Nobody will remember how well City made every other team park the bus. Every team thus far.

elampiro:
When last did Manchester United finished above Manchester City?

When last did Manchester United dominated Manchester City in a match?

Even when we beat City under SAF in 2011/12 in FA cup after losing two league matches, City held us half field.

In 2012/2013, City played us half field even when we best them 3-2. The return leg they beat us after dominating us.

City has the better players since 2011. They gave gradually been using the Champions League to get quality experience even before Guardiola came. Guardiola has the better players. Truth be told.

This is effectively a lie.

LVG beat City 4-2, and later 1-0 at their ground in his second season. That second season City only finished above United on goals difference - they had equal points.

This myth that City have greater players is simply untrue. The core of that 2011 team have since waned starting from 2014/15.

In fact, it was so bad that City in Pelle's last season lost;

Twice to Leicester
Twice to Liverpool
Twice to West Ham
United beat them and drew
Arsenal beat them and drew

They could not beat any top 6 team that season and enjoyed serendipity in the Champions league which papered over the cracks.

If United were far behind when the season began the bookies won't have been as polarized as they were then.

Mou is realizing that the siege mentality he used for the underdogs he coached in the past (Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan) will no longer work in dominant brands because the fans will ask for more. Look at his time in Real Madrid, second stint with Chelsea and now United for evidence.

UlrikVandram:
If they play like bums they're bums! They're not playing like bums so they're not bums. Stop hating. BTW I hope curry comes back better than ever. I hope you lot win 70 this year. This way when the flash mob sweeps you all you currysexuals will cry like the little babies you are.

How convenient.

Sweepers. No issues. I feel for IT when he is getting abused in defence and Bron Bron goes 3-6.

Why am I getting ahead of myself. Celts might do the sweeping already.

UlrikVandram:
Year 15. Highest PER in the league. Plays good defence unlike a certain someone. 30 mins usage per game in comparison to a certain someone with 36.

It's not about the streak. If that were the case Kyrie would be at the top spot.


Obviously harden is the only other contender and he should be the favorite. But LeBron has the numbers and narrative to rob the beard again

How funny would that be?

Tied for highest PER.

To certain someone with most assists, points, FTs and 3s.

Certain someone with less quality roster than year 15 guy.

Year 15 guy whom everyone suggests is the best in the league.

So the narrative actually favors the lesser player who is pushing his team to do wonderful things.

Same certain guy who has been trying since 14/15.

Let me see how people would vote for the other guy who has already won it 4 times.

Donlittle:
Keep this same energy in the Nba Finals

Soon all the players on the roster will be bums.
We have seen it happen so many times.

Puhleeese.

We went on an 18-game winning run without KD with Curry averaging above 28ppg in the run and GSW ending with the winningnest record in the NBA but he was not the MVP.

Beating sub-400 ninnies like Sacramento by 6 points does not warrant this hoopla.

Decale:
Lol. KAT na the real hype. That guy has been abysmal like I predicted after that Jimmy trade. No iota of defense in that one.

Defense has always been a strong factor for a player. If you're not so good offensively, defense has helped built some players. A player in top 3 of both with a peak season ahead of him shouldn't be trifled with





I don't know about which team finishes better but from the games Spurs have played on the road, 4 extra wins woulda been possible with Kawhi. Remember when Kawhi was healthy 2 seasons ago and Spurs ended up with 67-15? Spurs would probably go 65+ wins this season from what I've watched.




I see Rockets finishing with 67 wins this season don't know about you. In fact, I see three teams finishing 65+ wins in WC if all players were healthy. But injuries aren't a myth





The points differential I meant were game averages. Rockets have Warriors beat there




I'm using CURRENT form to access their potency. I believe if both teams meet right now, Cavs would have the upper hand again.

LOL @ KAT.

I actually have Rockets at 65wins. 55 of last season + 10 by adding CP3.

I checked Basketball reference, Harden is ontop of all the stats that matter even in overall player ratings he is tied with Bron.

We may never know what Kawhi would have done overall. His defensive game may have suffered small to accomodate his needed extra offense.

I am surprised you see 65wins in them (without him?). I am even praying GSW makes 67wins because I don't see it. They coast so much these days.

Decale:
Harden has been making his point I do agree about that. However, Kawhi brings something that he doesn't, a better defense. He's also better in efficiency and close out games.

There were projections prior to the season on these players: Kawhi, Giannis and Harden were meant to have a peak season while others were said to keep up with the momentum. Only Kristaps has done more than he should. If Kawhi were healthy, he'd be having a Giannis season on a Spurs team that's 5-6 on the road. That'd be on par if not better than Harden.

Though Harden has contributed to their blowouts this year, CP3 intake has more to do with it. I already put the numbers last season when Harden had little to no difference on their +/- even with their 50+ win season. Well, CP3 is averaging a crazy assist/TO ratio in his 8 games for Rockets, where they are 8-0, made 18 or more 3s and hold the highest differential of any team. Harden has never felt much relief. If everything stays the same, you can bet on that MVP...






What would you have LeBron do when you're 5-7 and sitting outside the playoff spots? He'd to put up crazy numbers especially in the 4th to get back into playoff contention. Or that game against Wizards following a 3 game losing streak? Not only him, Love and Wade have been insane throughout this run. All of them especially Bron have their minutes in the red mark plus their usage rates are through the roof. These stars adjusted to make up that 20+ ppg player that's missing.




They're on a 12 win run, blowing out some teams people thought they'd lose or be close. Lose Curry and Shaun Livingston and you'd agree a 12 game winning streak is a big deal. I'd place Celtics 3rd and Warriors after them mostly because of Kerr.



CP3 running the second unit is ingenious. Harden and those showers are lighting everyone up. If they'd better shot selection in their transition plays, then they'd be something. I never thought I'd see the day




Number of points don't matter if you get to win by a close game in some of them. Rockets have the best point differential and I think second best defensive efficiency.

I still believe Warriors will have the top seed only if Curry is healthy. Let's just hope the MRI will show up as day to day.

Nobody can touch Kawhi's D but if D was the decider in MVP races, Russell would not have won it last year. I saw the Giannis talk as hype; he will grow into his own but he should know that A Davis, Karl Anthony will have a say in the near future.

Harden according to the votes made a better argument for MVP than Kawhi even head to head in the playoffs until he flopped the game 6. But then, losing that game 6 was not as a result of Kawhi. So somehow I still have Kawhi at marginally under Harden for MVP. Who I would prefer on my team is another talk entirely.

Then again, I don't think Spurs would have had a better regular season than Rockets. Kawhi can give them an extra 3 wins considering the Ls they have had. But some of those same games they lost with him (OKC for e.g) - Just like Harden (Rockets beat GSW first regular season game last year 132-127).

As for CP3s inclusion you are right; but then Rockets had that patch of Ws where they won without him. I think he adds only only max 10 more wins to their last season's of 55.

Cavs are a deep roster. Sure, losing IT was huge but is it huger than Celts losing Hayward and being top seeded with the winningnest record in the NBA? Remember, they are not half as deep as the Cavs who also have the best player in the league. So I cannot overcelebrate the Cavs for doing what they should have started with really.

Actually GSW have the best defensive efficiency and points differential. We are on 283 to Rockets 250 but they have 3 games to make that up easily. In the same way, they can win those games by 10 each and still be 3 behind. Or even worse, can lose one of those games and have only 1 game on us.

I am actually not making my case for GSW. On current form, the deadliest teams should be Rockets at 1, and Celts at 2. For the very fact that they too have played many teams people thought would beat them yet they won. Recall, they lost by 3 or 1 against Cavs in game 1 of the regular season - at Cavs ground after having lost Hayward on the same day.