₦airaland Forum

Eruditor:
A man was pushed off the top of a 90-storey building and as he fell through each flight of floors kept telling himself, "at least I am not dead".

What he should do is wait till he lands on the ground floor before he declares that.

Pep was brought to do many things including win titles. I believe he signed a 3 or 4 year contract. 1 year now is gone. He has done some of the things on his list except win titles. You prematurely say he has failed but it is by your own imagined standard. A standard you do not seem to extend to other managers that you gleefully praise and extol.

What I am telling you to do is wait till his tenure in City is done before judging. If Fergie was judged on his first season did he fail? What about Mancini?

Did Carlo not win a double his first season and then get fired the next? Did he not win a UCL and LDR for RM in his first season only to get fired his next?

That is why I have told you wait. Period.

Stop comparing Pep with anybody, people succeed and people fail, everyone just has to look at himself objectively.

Pep got a 4year contract to win titles in every single one of them. You imply that he could just win a tea cup in any of those 4years and become successful? No!

Year1 - FAILED. Carry over...

Year2 - (we are watching in 3D)

Hardetayour:
Alisher Usmanov offers Stan Kroenke $1.3bn for his stake in Arsenal - Financial Times. What do you think?

Kroenke should just bleep off. We need an owner with a passion for football, and who loves the club. Besides Usmanov is twice as wealthy as Kroenke, so more money.

Eruditor:
What resource did City have when they finished 4th last season? What resources do Barca have now when they could win only La Copa Del Rey? What resources did Leicester have when they won the EPL?

The use of the word "resources" is pretty armchair if you ask me. If I have all the resources in the world and not buy who I feel can help my team how will my "resources" come to bear?

The season for Pep is a failure according to you. Which means if he had won a Carling Cup he would not have failed. But that type of short term craving is why Leicester are nowhere today; they won for today and hoped it would carry over to another time but success does not work that way.

Atleast I am giving you the opportunity to quote me next season. There would be a marked improvement from this one and City will be palpably better than they were this season. In EVERY competition they would feature in, they would do significantly better than this one.

Can you say the same about Arsenal?

Are you implying then that if Leicester had same resources as City, they would have fared better since they got the right players?

Stop twisting issues. You keep comparing with other clubs and managers.

Pep and City here is an isolated case.

Pep was brought to City to win titles simple. He won nadda, so he failed. How is that hard to comprehend?

Talking about next season is merely being hopeful, as nothing is certain. Postponing today's failure to next season is a lame excuse.

Oasis007:
Did you check the Names he listed?! Pogba needs some Minutes to get back to Shape, same as Mensah.

Mata is definitely gonna play cos he's still getting to form. Lingard might be in the Team coz he was rested in the last Match and finally Bailly coz he ain't gonna play in the Final.

I talk am?

When you imagine that only Pogba can pay for the entire Ajax FC squad + their academy...

kokaneprodigy:
to them spending like real Madrid automatically makes them play like real Madrid.
Lowest wins in their premier league career since 1991 or so what a feat to celebrate after breaking transfer record.

Some peeps here ehn even if they spend 40 days at RCCG camp they won't still be redeemed.

Wicked!

For a manager who has spent over €1.08 billion since 2003- the highest ever, you can imagine what agents would be thinking this summer. Guys like Gorge Mendes and Raiola would be having watery mouths and wet lips.

Eruditor:
Did Poch fail last season or his first? Did Klopp fail his first season?

I admitted Pep won nothing and if he left City today, his time there would be regarded as a fail but since he is still there on contract it will be hasty to judge after this season.

I know you don't like him but Kenyans will say "Not yet Uhuru".

The enboldened is a silly assertion.

Can you compare Liverpool or Spurs with the resources City has? Personel and financial resources?
Stop diverting attention please.

The point here is that, Pep was overrated in what he was capable of achieving. This point remains valid until proven wrong.
This season for Pep is a failure. You don't have to admit it, its a fact that Pep won nothing. For now he carries the failure tag. When next season comes, we will also appraise him.

Oasis007:
"Paul Pogba is fine. A strong guy, strong mentality. He’s learning how to live after his father passed away, but he is strong. He knows that he needs to play on Sunday because he hasn’t played or trained for a long time and he needs these minutes on the pitch, so he plays against Palace.

"You will have the two goalkeepers, Joel Pereira and Kieran O’Hara, we will have Demi Mitchell, Scott McTominay, Josh Harrop, Matty Willock, Angel Gomes and Zachary Dearnley. I think that’s it. Plus Tim Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe, so lots of them.

"I think one [young player can play] in the middle of a good structure, a dynamic structure, an experienced structure, yes. But as for lots of them together, I think no [they aren't ready].

"I will bring three of four of the first-team players, you know, to play one half each. I can give a little bit of experience to the team but, at the same time, save them all for Wednesday. I don’t know [whether] Wayne [will play] or not, he played 90 minutes in the last match, so probably not."


- Jose Mourinho

Didn't I tell you. From 3 to 4 experienced players to an experienced 11.

He said he would play U23s vs Arsenal, but instead we saw Carrick, a 36yo. Arsenal even had Holding without much fuse.

kokaneprodigy:
one even said they should be celebrating being in Europa final. after pissing on real Madrid's face real Madrid is in UCL final they are in Europa final. Real Madrid tops la Liga, they are gallantly 6th in EPL.

Na only God know where them gather all the mumu fans of this mumu club.

lols.

All the con men/agents don dey arrange how to maga them this summer. A spender like Jose come dey make the Mugu club very prime.

The more they fail, the more they spend.

Roland17:
Don't mind the idiot. These club legends are very ungrateful, they all want to to work in an established club without reverence for the man who built the club to this stardom.

He claimed Wenger can not coach, and that he would have solved our defensive problems. Then I wondered why Granada shipped goals like water even at home when he took over.

MrDojo:
Bro becuz we can likely win it.... if wenger is still in charge, we will not win becuz he won't take it serious.

Ok. Makes sense.

The kettle is black, but you too are black Mr Adams.
Granada need you not Arsenal.

raumdeuter:
What about Man Utd this season is worth celebrating

My dear.

If nobody give you ballon dor, give yourself.

MuMu United.

Griffon:
Maxime Lopez of Marseille has got some bright future mehn. You all need to watch this lad play.

At 19, he already looks like the real deal. His technique is on point. The vision and close control are sublime, he just needs to start hitting the gym to buff up and stand his ground in the middle of the park.

Another french man.

I won't trust french players until France wins the World Cup or Euros.

MrDojo:
Na wa ooo..... una nor dey tire 4 pep mata? He had a bad season no body should deceive him/her self... but he knw he'll spend crazy to rectify the failure that is this season.... a manager does not spend over £250M to come 3rd and its nt considered a failure. ....


Can't wait to see arsenal in europa next season

Why are you anxious to see Arsenal in Europa?

olayinks007:
Mass Burial 4 all Corrupt nd bad leaders.

Death penalty for corruption, like its done in China.

Our NA will give a resounding 'NAY' for that one.

What can we do to solve this question of Nigeria?

A. Pray and fast.
B. Revolution.
C. All of the above.
D. None of the above (siddon dey look).

Eruditor:
The Pundits don't know anything but you do. And you would always be right because you make your own analysis based on a result you have already seen. But hardworking Pundits have to project.

God punish them for being wrong.

All hail Wenger. 3rd best manager according to you behind only Conte and Poch.

So with all those expectations you claim he didn't fail?

That was over 50% of pundits losing their bets over one man's head. Yet Pep didn't fail. Kontinu...

Eruditor:
You are trying too hard. Changing formation has nothing to do with pattern of play. Arsenal recently picked up 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 but don't play like Chelsea or Juve. Barca have used 3-4-3 even since Pep's days and they don't play like Chelsea.
Mou built that team as a defend first option and that was the foundation Conte built on. That's one.

Conte moved A here and B there. That is not just moot but superficial. When he moved Ake and John Terry against Watford did they not leak like a faulty tap? Yes, because personnel matters. If CFC had damning injuries and were forced to use Iva as RB they would have suffered in some games and it would not all be Conte's fault. That's how to be objective.

LOL. Bellerin is a star? And David Luiz, Batshuayi and Alonso were not stars for their former clubs?

Why you dey talk like pikin?

I mentioned those managers to show you a successful term is not based on one stint. Heck, RDM had resigned after winning the UCL and he would have been compared with Pep but TIME, TIME is what exposed him as a dud.

Pep's first season he did not win a title in England. To fail, he would have to end his tenure there today. If he does not and goes on to coach for subsequent seasons we would judge him a failure based on the integration of all his seasons put together.

Pep came to change the City footballing culture, playing style, dominance and team. City want to become a juggernaut not some has been like AFC. If he had done everything in one season you are the same person that would have said he did nothing but inherit a good team bla bla - after all, you are saying it about his time in Barca.

If he is a fraud, he is a better fraud than Wenger. Case closed.

Lets suspend the Pep issue for now and talk about the emboldened.

Like I said, a change of formation is a broader change that also covers pattern of play. Style is quite a different issue which I feel you mean when you compared Arsenal's 3-4-3 to 4-2-3-1. We changed formations and patterns but not style.
............................
Formation- from 4-2-3-1 to 3-6-1

Pattern- from overlapping FBs to WBs, Sanchez joins Ozil in CAM (sometimes joins the CF).

Style- same; attacking based on passing and movement, more technical than physical.

Cc Roland17, Ipopalomo, Raumdueter

Eruditor:
Pep did not win anything in his first season in England. Failed is finite. Wait till his tenure is up then judge. If we judged Jupp based one season in Bayern he failed as well.

Pep was tentative with his defense and rightly so. Besides he had targets but the transfers did not go through. He wanted Bellerin and Bonucci but their parent clubs did not let them go. Calm down.

I have nothing against Conte. But changing a formation and changing a pattern of playing are not the same. One is harder but brings longer lasting results.

I am not one to jubilate or be despondent over one season. Brendan Rodgers, Laudrup, Ranieri had one good season and got booted the next. A new formation will not make you a dynasty. Ask Carlo in CFC.

Lets start with Conte.

Changing formation is a broader way of changing pattern of play. Conte did not just change formation or pattern but also players. He dropped Iva, moves Apsi to CB, introduced Moses, and moved Hazard to CAM. He won the league from there on.

Bellerin and Bonnuci? Must Pep buy other clubs stars to build his own to win? He could as well buy the entire Chelsea squad so as to win the league. Lame.

Unless you want to classify Pep with the likes of Rodgers, Laudrup and Ranieri, DON'T EVER MENTION THEM AGAIN.

To your first question.

For me and every other football fan, Pep's first season is a failure, and rightly so. Pelligrini didn't get the sack for Pep to come and have a free season. Pep came to do what Pellegrini couldn't do- win a treble, 'just as he as aclaimed to have always done'.

Pep is a fraud. Case closed.

Eruditor:
Oh but changing drastically is an excuse. Did you see how CFC played against Watford until some first team starters were brought back? That is what a drastic change can do.

Pep will still get a better LB and RB (the types that can bomb forward and play defense) unlike what they have. Try to imagine Juve's season without Alves. Also the break creates more time for his players to imbibe his playing style - because it is beyond a formation.

At Barca or Bayern he would have been sacked? That also depends on what he had available and what the previous manager achieved. Improvements don't show up in only trophies. Jupp Heynckes was not sacked after going trophyless his first season.

He was signed to change City's style and culture. He does not only work on the tactics but also on player recruitment and rebuilding. His structure is still very much at Barca and Bayern till date. Just open your eyes and look. If his structures were ineffective, successive managers after him would have sought to dramatically change it but they don't.

I hope you know for example that Gundögan got injured early on. Gab Jesus (who has outscored Rashford in far less games) came in Jan and got injured. Nolito and Stones got injured at different times as well. They would have contributed more if they were not unfortunate.

Meanwhile, Joe Hart made a lot of gaffes as well in Torino. If I raised that as the reason City won nothing you are the same person that would have told me "if he knew Hart would be a problem, he should have changed Hart".

Allegri is going to win a treble this season. Did he do so in his first and second? Improvement.

All these stories hold no excuse whatsoever.

I mean he is Pep Guardiola isn't he? He just has to win with his record + hype.

This was what the pundits said before a ball was kicked this season...

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37040156

17 out of 33 said City would win, their only reason was Pep.

pharod:
Yeah, u really need it. After disgracing EPL in the UCL for 21yrs, u surely need to take a long break.
Am sure Bayern will be very disappointed.

A long break as did United abi?

Only that your break could further be extended including being magaded £30million on top bu Adidas.

Useless club.

PattyCake:
Yawns...I have a Cup to win and UCL games to play next season, enjoy your defeat alone.

Top 4 is still possible for us dude.

But who needs it? After 21 years, we surely need a break. Don't we?

Oasis007:
"I think the first match against LA Galaxy in pre-season in Los Angeles [is when De Gea will play again]. I hope to play Joel against Crystal Palace and I hope to play Sergio in the final and hopefully we don't have problems with these two keepers. David is top in the world and obviously we want to keep the top [keeper] in the world.

"Sunday will be a big day for the kids because lots of them are going to play. I hope the crowd enjoys that in spite of it not being a big strong, Man United team and I hope Big Sam shows he's really a friend and he goes slow and leaves [Christian] Benteke at home!"


- Jose Mourinho

Liar!

That was how he said he will play U23s against Arsenal only to field first team.

Mou can lie eh...

No manager in football history have spent like Jose Mourinho. He has spent over £1.08billion. - ESPN

For a manager who started in 2003, that is phenomenal.

-MAGAunited-

PattyCake:
Your Europa league qualification calls for a celebration.

Yeah. May be.


Afterall, we are United in defeat.

raumdeuter:
Dodge what? City is work in progress how do you inherit a team filled with geriatrics and not try to change it

Why didn't Pep win a trophy this season. Simple question.

Eruditor:
Conte did not change the structure dramatically. He used basically the same team he inherited bar Alonso and Kante.

What you want is for Pep to change every single leg in areas he sensed needed improvements but only a coach eyeing 1 season would do that.

Remember when Fergie won the league with CR7 and Rooney in 2007? He said it was tentative. He wanted to test out that team to see areas he needed to change quickly but how soon they won the league made him know he had a dynasty on his hands.

Remember how they were walloped by AC Milan in the semis of the UCL, Lost to CFC by a Drogba goal in the FA Cup and won the league title? It gave him an indication that they could win a treble if he improved a few areas - including mentality.

He signed Owen Hagreaves, Tevez and United were an FA Cup short of winning a treble.

So what will Pep do; get some bad legs out and replace them then train his players more on his system and philosophy.

You say AFC have more points now than they did last season, and you are right, but you did not add that you were 2nd then and now 5th while City that were 4th will now finish 3rd.

You did not add that City lost to Tot, Leicester, Westham, Liverpool home and away while taking a point from United and Arsenal. Scored less and conceded more than this season and so on.

Tot were 3rd last and 2nd now and you praise Poch for it but City actually moved up a notch and you hound the manager but praise Wenger for regressing AFC by finishing 5th because of the potential of winning the FA Cup. LOL

Argue objectively.

You were the one who suggested improvements at Man City. I only asked what improvements. You said changing drastically would not be a good idea. For me, changing or no changing is not an excuse for Pep not to win a trophy. He said so himself, that if it were at Barca or Bayern he would have been sacked.

Pep was signed and paid millions to win titles for City. He had a blank cheque. He had the freedom of throwing Joe Hart out of the team just to bing Bravo who flopped. He signed about 4-5 other players. He has no excuse. Remember he is Pep Guardiola, world best manager and the conqueror of Europe.

Eruditor:
You can't change a team in one fell swoop. If you change a structure too abruptly you would fail more.

Pochettino was 5th, 3rd and now 2nd. Crashed out of UCL and Europa. Won nothing. Great season.
Pellegrini was 1st, 2nd and 4th (with 66pts).
Pep is a position and 9pts better with a game to spare. There would definitely be improvements next season. You can mark this post.

Don't celebrate trophyless as you would have downplayed Carling or even FA Cup had he won them. He failed in the league and UCL. Period.

At the emboldened; Conte, Kante, Moses and other Chelsea players are looking at you and shaking their heads vigourously...

Arsenal won more points this season than last when they finished second. So forget points.

Even a Milk Cup would vindicate Pep's trophy-must claim. But then...

How would Pep improve this City team?

A. Train them.
B. Throw them away, and buy.

iPopAlomo:
Gbamest!!!

Raumdeuter would stylishly dodge that one.
He would lie like Wenger...'I did not see it'...

raumdeuter:
The last time one team won doesnt matter. Leicester won the league last 12months ago Spurs won the league last 50yrs ago Who do you think has a higher chance of winning next year

Or in 2004 Chelsea hasnt won for 50yrs, Blackburn won 10yrs earlier, who had the better chance

Your comparisons are inconsistent bro.

Nobody predicted that Leicester could win the league.

Even if RB Leipzig could compete financially with Bayern, it would take them 10years of continual investment to catch up.

Stop using Leicester as a case for Leipzig, EPL is not GBL.

raumdeuter:
He cant change a team of many oldies all at once, In place of a old Navas he got Sane, In place of old Yaya he got Gundogan, It is work in progress to reduce the age

Are you giving me an excuse on why Pep couldn't win a trophy this season?