All posts by h79snht.top

The rise of social media and the condensation of everything worth saying into 140 characters or less has been a breeding ground for short termism in football.

In a world where the worst of humanity is usually the loudest, social media gives a platform to everyone. As a result, a quick search through Twitter’s multitude of football fans will show up a plethora of football fans laughing at Jose Mourinho for his failures in his first few months as Manchester United manager.

[ffc_insert title=”Cantona: The Iconic and the Ironic” name=”Golden Goal” image=”https://www.footballfancast.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1997-04-23T000000Z_1_MT1ACI148037_RTRMADP_3_ENGLAND-SOCCER-MNU.jpg?admin” link=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/manchester-united/golden-goal-king-eric-and-a-story-of-delicious-irony” link_text=”The King’s greatest moment” ]

There have been failures, of course. After the first three games of the season – and three wins for United – it looked as if Manchester City and United would be fighting it out for the title at the end of the season. They truly looked like the two best teams, and with new managers – legendary managers – and fists full of dollars, they looked unstoppable. More fuel to the short-termist’s fire, though.

Since then both managers have borne the brunt of glee and schadenfreude from a baying public. It must be said, though, that one of the issues with social media – at least from a footballing point of view – is how immediate it is. It’s always been easy to make an obvious joke: it’s even easier now. So most of the online commentary about Mourinho’s abilities as a manager are, perhaps, just part of a popular and passing meme. Jose’s having a difficult spell, let’s make fun of it because it’s the story of the day. When he’s back at the top, we’ll make fun of Antonio Conte when his team hit a slump. Circle of life on Twitter.

But what about the truth? If you asked someone who called Mourinho ‘past it’ or Pep Guardiola a ‘fraud’, and if they spoke perfectly honestly, would they give you the same answer as they publicised on Twitter or Facebook? They may well give you a considered opinion, nuanced and balanced – one that takes into account the new players, new system and new team, Mourinho’s difficulties in settling into his new home away from his family, and the remaining strands of a United team still used to playing under Louis van Gaal.

Because actually, if Mourinho is ‘past it’, we don’t really have much evidence of it.

The only evidence we have is that his team play a similar type of football that they used to, one that doesn’t seem to overly extol the virtues of pressing and intensity, that doesn’t seem to want to play out from the back – not as obviously as some others, anyway – and still seemed to set up in a 4-2-3-1 system until just a few weeks ago.

Yet there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Mourinho is an excellent coach, but the tactical side of the game has never really been his obvious forte. He’s an organiser and a coach who protects his players fiercely. Getting players like Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing at their best is, you could say, a very smart tactic in itself!

There are always truths behind the perceived truths, and the obvious conclusions we draw from the outside looking in.

Mourinho was wrong to start the season with Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini in a two in midfield, it was also baffling to see Henrikh Mkhitaryan left out of United squad until recently, too.

None of the coverage tries to make sense of his decisions, though. They are decisions that fly in the face of most logic, and surely his status as a top coach demands we give him the courtesy of actually trying to figure out what he was trying to do. Surely he deserves more than that.

Short termism is to blame. The fact that social media gives rise to instant opinion without much thought, and then beams it all around the world is to blame. So long as it’s pithy, it can garner share after share.

But football can’t be condensed into 140 characters. Nor can it be understood through a snapshot of just a few weeks of play. Teams can take years and even decades to build. It has to do with building an identity, a core unit of players truly committed to a cause and who know one another well enough to act in tandem. It’s the union that makes them strong. But that takes longer than a few weeks to forge in football.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’centre’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Loris Karius has faced criticism left, right and centre during the early stages of his Liverpool career, but he was the shining light in a dismal performance from the team in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Southampton.

The 23-year-old German was recently dropped from the number one spot in the Premier League, with manager Jurgen Klopp preferring Simon Mignolet following a number of howlers from the summer signing against Bournemouth and West Ham United.

Karius was reinstalled to the starting XI at St Mary’s, presumably with Klopp thinking that Mignolet will start against Manchester United in this Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

However, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss may alter his plans after Karius put in a solid performance in between the sticks.

The former Mainz keeper conceded one goal – a Nathan Redmond striker on the 20-minute mark – but the damage could have been much worse for Liverpool.

Karius made a number of decent stops, two of which denied Redmond from netting a hat-trick in the first half.

Klopp recognised his player’s positive display after the game, telling Sky Sports: “They had the biggest chances because we were not compact enough in situations and Loris Karius had to save our life, a deserved win for Southampton but it is only half time.”

Plenty of Liverpool fans have criticised the overall team performance on social media, but they have been full of praise for their goalkeeper.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Lucas Leiva will not be leaving the club this month, reports the Liverpool Echo.

What’s the latest?

Recently, Lucas publicly admitted that he was deliberating over his future at Anfield due to the lack of regular first-team action on offer.

The Brazilian has only made 14 appearances, just three of them Premier League starts, in all competitions this season.

Also, he has mainly been deployed in central defence as opposed to his traditional midfield role.

In December, The Mirror reported that Lucas was a £4m target for Serie A side Inter Milan, but with 13 days of the transfer window remaining, Klopp has revealed that his player is going nowhere.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

The German football coach confirmed the news after Lucas scored the only goal – his first since September 2010 – in an FA Cup third-round replay against Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday night.

Klopp is quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying: “We have a kind of an agreement, so I would say yes.”

Is Lucas right to remain at Anfield?

From a player’s perspective, there is arguably nothing more frustrating than not getting game time when you are adamant that you can still deliver.

At the age of 30, Lucas’s career is by no means over, so it is understandable that he would consider moving elsewhere in search for more minutes.

However, considering that Liverpool are in with a shout of the Premier League title (they sit seven points behind leaders Chelsea), Lucas could end up regretting it if he left midway through the season.

The Brazilian will have to accept that he will not be the first name on the teamsheet over the next four-and-a-half months, but he would probably rather end his 10-year spell at Anfield with some silverware.

Even if Klopp’s men fail to clinch the league title, they are one result away from reaching the EFL Cup final and remain in the hunt for the FA Cup.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Many thought at the start of the season that it would be Norwich City and not Brighton & Hove Albion that would be vying alongside Newcastle for the automatic promotion slots judging by the quality in Alex Neil’s ranks.The Canaries managed to hold on to the likes of Steven Naismith, Robbie Brady and Cameron Jerome despite going down aÂdivision and one would have expected a genuine challenge to return to the top divisionÂat the first time of asking this term.But that has not been the case, as Norwich are currently five points behind Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently occupying the last play-offs spot. Although all hope isn’t lost yet, it is a situation they shouldn’t be in the first place.With automatic promotion seemingly out of reach, even though we have just entered the second phase of the campaign, the play-offs looks the most realistic achievement. So, which areas need addressing if theyÂare to make it?

Tighten up defensively

The Championship, as we have come to know, is a league that delivers a lot of goals for football lovers. This is mostly down to the similar philosophies adopted by most of the teams in the division. Unlike in the Premier League, where we see teams trying to play out from the back or trying to pass their way through, the playing style in the lower division is more direct, which so often results in goals and also increases the chances of upsets.

Alex Neil’s men have no problem scoring, they are currently the third highest scorers in the league with 45 goals, but it is at the other end there are issues. The Canaries have so far shipped 40 which the 5th highest in the league and, even more embarrassingly, more than the three newly promoted sides in the division this term.

The whole team have to start doing the job defensively, just like they do in attack.

Take home form away with them

While the Canaries have been nearly impeccable in front of their home fans, claiming 28 points out of 39 available, they have been disappointing away from home, with just three wins and three draws from 14 games. Those victories came during early stages of the season when Norwich were steaming along in 2nd place, a point behind then leaders Newcastle after 13 games.

Since then, the East Anglian club have managed to collect just one point from their last seven away games and the latest 2-1 loss away to struggling Rotherham was a slap in the face.

Neil needs to find a way to motivate his side to perform and, more importantly, win on their travels.

Beat the teams around them

One can assume that Neil must have gazed through his team’s match records and seen how shocking his players have performed against their rivals. The Canaries have picked up just five points from the ten games they have played with the current top ten in the league so far.

The Carrow Road side won 3-0 win at home against Derby earlier this month and bagged two draws (Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 and Fulham 2-2) during the early stages of the season. Neil has to address this, as Norwich still have to play those teams in the second half of the season, and they will be games that will have a say as to where they finish come the end of the season.

To get positive results in those games, they will need to bring their A-game to avoid future embarrassing and disappointingÂscorelines.

Liverpool were in desperate need of victory over Tottenham. They got those three points, even if the match was as much about Spurs’ poor performance as Liverpool’s return to form. Anfield had something to cheer for the first time in 2017, Jurgen Klopp will be optimistic that this victory was as much about turning a corner as the immediate boost to their top four credentials.

Sadio Mane was fantastic once again, the midfield functioned as it did earlier in the season and even the defence was less chaotic. Liverpool’s record against the top teams has not been an issue, though. Throughout this campaign they have reserved their best performances for the biggest occasions, often spurred on by their expectant fans. The extra space awarded by their top six rivals has lent itself to Liverpool’s style of play under Klopp, as was wonderfully proven against Spurs on Saturday.

The German coach has an issue, though. Whether it is a case of motivation or it is down to their high-paced approach, Liverpool’s woes against teams who look to absorb pressure are likely to continue. Sucker-punched by Hull, carved open by Swansea, and restricted to minimal opportunities by Chelsea, there is a definitive game plan for how to succeed at Anfield.

Teams – the pragmatic ones at least – will follow that same approach. Stay to an organised, narrow structure behind the ball and play quick, direct passes through Liverpool’s midfield press when you receive possession.

Unless Liverpool find a way to conquer such an approach, their successes in the ‘big’ matches are almost irrelevant. Beating Tottenham would have been a statement of significant title intent had they not dropped points to Hull and Swansea, but instead it was a victory to end a slump and keep them out of the now-infamous sixth place, bottom of the top league.

A run of form similar to their start-of-season performances could yet give Liverpool the slightest sniff of the Premier League title. In truth, though, even securing a place in the top four currently looks a long shot.

While others have addressed their weaknesses, Liverpool are yet to provide an answer to their continued problems defensively or with breaking through a low block. Klopp can argue he does not have the tools at his disposal, but a failure to sign players in January could haunt Liverpool through the second half of this campaign.

An utterly dismal start to the calendar year should not be papered over despite the brilliance of their display against Spurs. A Liverpool team with clear weaknesses are vulnerable – particularly against the weaker teams – and it has ultimately cost them a shot at the Premier League title. Victory at the weekend may have been a relief, but it actually just amplifies the Reds’ weaknesses: Spurs looked so bad precisely because they didn’t play the right way to expose them.

Liverpool cannot claim to be surprised when teams play with a deep defensive line against them this season. Everyone’s game plan against Klopp’s teams will be obvious, pre-meditated and entirely understandable. The onus is now on Liverpool to prove they can find a way around it.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants another two-years at Manchester United and aims to stay in English football until he is 37, The Daily Mirror reports.

What’s the word?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been Manchester United’s leading man this season and, having arrived on a free-transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the Swedish veteran is keen to extend his stay at Old Trafford by another two-years.

Ibrahimovic is set to have a one-year extension on his current £300k-a-week deal with the Red Devils activated but his advisors are pushing for a new deal completely, as they look to keep the well-travelled striker at the club until 2019.

Having scored 26 goals this season across all competitions, Ibrahimovic leads United’s scoring charts by quite a way and his performances have put him in a good position to negotiate an extended stint in the North West of England.

Should he stay?

Manchester United certainly have a decision to make though as whilst Ibrahimovic may be the key-man this season, that could all change in the summer if the Red Devils secure their top-target Antoine Griezmann.

Should the Frenchman arrive, he’d join an already bolstering Manchester United attack that includes young starlets Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial- and an extended stay for Ibrahimovic could limit the opportunities that come their way.

Ibrahimovic has offers from across the world, including from the MLS and China, but staying in the Premier League seems to be his preference.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

An eventful night for Manchester City and Monaco has resulted in their game being written into the Champions League history books.Eight goals were scored in a dramatic 5-3 victory for City in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.As Opta reveals in the tweet below, the match will be recorded as the highest-scoring first leg.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

It started off brightly for City when Raheem Sterling put them 1-0 up in the 26th minute, but an impressive Monaco bounced back.

Radamel Falcao drew level before 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe put the Ligue 1 side ahead before the half-time break.

Sergio Aguero nabbed an equaliser 13 minutes after the restart, but Falcao found the back of the net again after having a penalty saved by Willy Caballero.

Once again, the hosts came from behind as Aguero’s volley sealed his second goal of the night before unlikely scorer John Stones and Leroy Sane wrapped it up to give City a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Disaster. The death of English football in Europe. The end of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.

Manchester City’s elimination from the Champions League on Wednesday night sent raptures around football. Over-reacting, misguided, nonsensical raptures of sensationalism. Losing a tie having taken a two goal lead into the second leg is a severe disappointment of course, but conceding three away goals always left City in a perilous position.

In truth, though, was much more expected from City in the Champions League this season? A run to the semi-finals last year was great and all, but this edition of a rebuilding City is a different animal once again. Guardiola is still nurturing young players, working with a dysfunctional defence and having to make do without a goalkeeper of the standard you would expect. Complacency swept across English football at the news that Manchester City had drawn Monaco, a Monaco side that are the top scorers in Europe and led by the excellent Leonardo Jardim, no less.

Their first half performance in the millionaire’s playground was woeful. City were dominated in midfield and did not register a single attempt on goal. This is where the tie was lost, really. Whether you choose to put this down to players not having enough ‘passion’, Guardiola misjudging the match tactically or some other reasoning is up to you, but it was that first half that cost City their place in the last 16. Poor decision making and finishing from Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero did not help in the second half either.

Performances like that happen, though. Realistically, City were going to be underdogs in the next round anyway, they have played brilliant football at times this season, but the inconsistencies of a developing team are still there. Monaco are one of Europe’s best sides this season and possess exceptional talent throughout the team, there is no shame in losing to them even without the clinical Radamel Falcao in the squad.

It is not a sign of failure in Guardiola’s first season, nor is it a representation of the collapse of English football. The Premier League is underachieving in Europe – as it has done for several years – but this defeat is not any more a symbol of that than any other elimination. City conceded a lot of goals in the tie, but they were against the best attack in Europe in case anyone has chosen to overlook that.

Wednesday night was a surprise, not a crisis point for Manchester City or English football. Their inconsistencies that have dominated this season crept into their game once again and it cost them. Is it any surprise that it cost them when they played a team better than almost any other they have faced this season? No, absolutely not.

Other than the psychological impact of losing in such a meandering manner, this should have little impact on their weekend match with Liverpool. And if there’s to be any impact, it could well be in the form of a backlash: they are still in a strong position to finish in the top three, let alone the top four, and are arranging their trip to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final. It might not be how the season was expected to go when Guardiola arrived, but given what we have seen this season, a top four finish and an FA Cup win would be a reasonable outcome.

City are a young team. So few of their first team options are in their peak years, this team will only get better. Losing after scoring five in the first leg will hurt, but the improvement in their domestic performances goes to show how good this City side will become. Liverpool should be wary of a backlash from an immensely talented team with a point or two to prove this weekend.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Aston Villa winger Andre Green has indicated that he could be available for action in the coming weeks following a spell on the sidelines with injury.The 18-year-old has been on the treatment table since early March after tweaking his hamstring.The problem occurred late in Villa’s 2-0 triumph over Bristol City, but according to the player’s tweet, it may not be long until he is back on the field.

In his absence, Villa have won three and lost one in the Championship, but they are on a run of back-to-back triumphs.

Achieving Premier League promotion seems to be a distant dream as the club currently reside 12th in the standings, 11 points adrift of the playoff places.

Steve Bruce’s side have eight games left in the calendar, and Green is likely to play a part in the run-in.

Before his injury, the teenager started four league games and came off the bench in nine others.

Green also started a League Cup game and came on as a substitute once in the FA Cup.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=‘center’]

As reported by The Scottish Sun, former Rangers manager Mark Warburton is eyeing up a summer move for one of their key players over the last few months.

What’s the story?

Emerson Hyndman has rapidly made himself a fans’ favourite at Ibrox, despite only joining the Gers in January. His performances have left fans hopeful they may be able to attract him north for a second season or even permanently in the summer.

However, ex-boss Mark Warburton has other plans, according to The Sun. They say that the Nottingham Forest manager is looking to bring him to the City Ground next season.

It comes after the American midfielder was linked with a move to Celtic this past weekend.

Can the Gers hold on to him?

How important is he?

With four goals in twelve appearances so far for the Ibrox outfit, Hyndman has rapidly become one of the most impressive midfielders at the club.

Any decision on his future will likely be made after he returns to Bournemouth for pre-season training and with his contract not expiring until 2020, it could be difficult for the likes of Rangers to sign him on a permanent basis.

However, the 20 year old is already of a level to be an effective force in Scottish football and retaining his services for another season, even on loan, could be massive for Rangers.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]