Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on March 04, 2026, 09:38:12 PM
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(https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-08-2016/I-ME9i.gif)
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Have we bottomed out yet?
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Shocking starting selection but then we got ourselves in front and for 20 minutes Bailey looked good. But after that, Chelsea took control. We tried to play on the break a bit having opened the game up but you need your forwards to take the chances created. It is utter insanity that Watkins continues to play when we have a very good option in Abraham. He misses 4 good chances and couldn’t even look along the line to stay onside when he had all that space. As a discussion, it’s almost pointless now because he will start again in the next fixture and do the same. So, when people moan about Emery not having resources, let’s look at how he uses those he has.
Konsa was utterly woeful and Martinez drops another decisive clanger.
But the biggest criticism is for the manager. Shocking selection and then shocking game management. Bringing on Bogarde to play right back?!?! If you want someone to try to lock down Garnacho, Lindelof who knows him and either put him or Konsa at right back.
Luiz off when he was decent?
Starting Buendia?!
No Abraham until about 15 minutes left?
No matter how phenomenal he’s been for us (and he has) he has utterly utterly and completely shat the bed this second half of the season.
And yet again another massive occasion that we gave blown. This team has little big game mentality and consistently prove this point.
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It's football. Keep the faith. UTV!!
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None of us saw that coming at 6:30pm.
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How are we still 4th?!
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Absolutely unacceptable.
Relegation form. Only Villa could manage this.
It smells like something is ending.
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Dreadful stuff
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Are any of the Coaches challenging Emery? I know he is doubling down on his beliefs but its costing us big time.
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Pathetic
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Gutless and clueless, it's not a great combination. Theres not many I'd be sorry to see the back of in the summer.
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Well at least we have a weekend off
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Said it when we lost vs Palace at home, when he fucks up he really fucks up.
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Confused performance, coaching and plan which was once so strong seems off. Wonder what is happening in the background because I think something has changed since Jan and not just the injuries have fucked us.
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That one stings.
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None of us saw that coming at 6:30pm.
You mean we all did! Unless you're being iconic.
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Whoever saw us getting thumped with that starting line up? Another pathetic performance to add to the wolves horror show
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Suicidal high line, they carved us apart. Needed more from everyone tonight. Really poor.
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Gutless and clueless, it's not a great combination. Theres not many I'd be sorry to see the back of in the summer.
It’s so strange seeing the arse fall out of a good team so quickly though.
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None of us saw that coming at 6:30pm.
You mean we all did! Unless you're being iconic.
What do you think?
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Yes we have lost 3 key players.
But it didn’t have to be this way.
Recently Emery has week in week out picked the wrong team.
And week in week out made ridiculous substitutions.
He has been as bad as many of the bad managers we have seen over the years.
But it’s not too late Emery.
You still have time to sort this.
Over a week until Lille to try a new shape.
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Unacceptable - everyone one from the manager through to every player should be embarrassed. We continue to do the same thing every week and it’s fucking obvious it’s not working.
We’ve lost three key players - that’s rough. It’s not an excuse to be as bad as we have been for weeks. Guess what if they’re integral to playing the way we wanted to play maybe try something different when they’re not available. There are teams with less talent playing much better than us.
Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
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Confused performance, coaching and plan which was once so strong seems off. Wonder what is happening in the background because I think something has changed since Jan and not just the injuries have fucked us.
We were winning games by the odd goal with an emphasis on quick turnovers in midfield. McGinn, Kamara and Tielemans are the best at that. It's not that surprising really. Our lack of battle and fucking organisation is really disappointing though.
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Not the best.
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I cba for the rest of the season, which is unfortunate because twelve hours ago I bought a ticket for the Lille match.
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Schooled by a bloke sacked by Hull.
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Gutless and clueless, it's not a great combination. Theres not many I'd be sorry to see the back of in the summer.
It’s so strange seeing the arse fall out of a good team so quickly though.
The arse didn't fall out, the entire midfield did. Unless you meant SJM?
We are simply a very different side when we don't have Kamara, Youri and SJM in midfield. With those three fit and playing, we look like Champions League contenders. Without them, we look mid-table, at best.
The worrying thing is, I think by the time Youri and SJM are back, we'll be playing catch-up against teams right in form, rather than defending a points lead ahead of them.
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
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How many fecking times did a simple ball over the top rip us open?
Were trying to play as if we still have Kamara and Tielemans in midfield.
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Buendia Watkins and Bailey are a waste of a shirt. When you add that to the missing then we will lose more often than not.
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The space Garnacho had all night was terrifying. We did absolutely nothing about it from minute one to minute ninety. Serious questions need to be asked. Buendia can never start in midfield again. He's far too lightweight. He's a no10 and nothing else. Ollie is done. He's a workaholic and that's great but his finishing is awful and has cost us lots of points this season. He had a brilliant chance to make it 2-3 and completely fucked it up and the offside goal he scored was just daft. I know Rogers delayed the pass a bit too much but Ollie was looking along the line and had absolutely no reason to go early. It was four on two. Those are the pivotal moments that swing games one way or another.
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Gutless and clueless, it's not a great combination. Theres not many I'd be sorry to see the back of in the summer.
It’s so strange seeing the arse fall out of a good team so quickly though.
The arse didn't fall out, the entire midfield did. Unless you meant SJM?
We are simply a very different side when we don't have Kamara, Youri and SJM in midfield. With those three fit and playing, we look like Champions League contenders. Without them, we look mid-table, at best.
The worrying thing is, I think by the time Youri and SJM are back, we'll be playing catch-up against teams right in form, rather than defending a points lead ahead of them.
I don’t agree that we shouldn’t be competitive though and we’re just not.
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Gutless and clueless, it's not a great combination. Theres not many I'd be sorry to see the back of in the summer.
It’s so strange seeing the arse fall out of a good team so quickly though.
The arse didn't fall out, the entire midfield did. Unless you meant SJM?
We are simply a very different side when we don't have Kamara, Youri and SJM in midfield. With those three fit and playing, we look like Champions League contenders. Without them, we look mid-table, at best.
The worrying thing is, I think by the time Youri and SJM are back, we'll be playing catch-up against teams right in form, rather than defending a points lead ahead of them.
I wouldn’t say Liverpool are right in form.
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Abysmal yet so predictable.
The missing midfield three has been done to death: there's much more to this than that.
- A non-scoring striker that is forever first pick
- An international-class player in Rogers whose decided to go through the motions
- A world class goalkeeper who is now not as good as he was
- Smith and Gerrard era players who are past their sell-by date
- A manager who looks increasingly obdurate and tactically inflexible
Aston Villa: failing to deliver since 1920
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
I definitely think we can turn this around and I think Man Utd are going to be on the sharp end of this up turn, wait and see.
We go to Old Trafford and we win.
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
I definitely think we can turn this around and I think Man Utd are going to be on the sharp end of this up turn, wait and see.
We go to Old Trafford and we win.
Ha ha ha.
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Confused performance, coaching and plan which was once so strong seems off. Wonder what is happening in the background because I think something has changed since Jan and not just the injuries have fucked us.
We were winning games by the odd goal with an emphasis on quick turnovers in midfield. McGinn, Kamara and Tielemans are the best at that. It's not that surprising really. Our lack of battle and fucking organisation is really disappointing though.
We were playing much better football than snagging the odd goal.
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Schooled. Men against boys.
Bailey set the goal up and Watkins played a part as well but even the most one eyed fan would have found issue with the starting line up.
Once again I thought Barkley and Sancho, who showed a bit of previously unseen pace, were tidy as was Alyson.
I can’t see the point of signing Tammy if you’re not going to start him when he’s clearly showing a hell of a lot more than Watkins, who was much better tonight, but if you were him you’d be a bit pissed off.
Defence was woeful and it’s the worse game I’ve seen Konsa have in years.
All I would say is that we’re not out of it yet, yes we may lose in Manchester but they’ll lose games as will Chelsea and Liverpool. We just need to turn around this wretched form and hope that UE can clear his mind a bit.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
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I suspect a number of these players are hiding behind the injury problems the squad has.
Not one of the players out there tonight has anything remotely resembling leadership qualities
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The team selection was pathetic and the loss is on Emery 100%. Buendia, Bailey and Watkins are shite and have been for some time.
By mid March we'll have 8 games left and a mini league for 2 CL places with 3,maybe 4 teams in for them. With any luck McGinn and Tileman's will return fresh and ready to go. Hopefully we get through Lille so still have the Europa to have a go at too.
The seasons on life support for sure bit it's not dead just yet.
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I thought if we could get 4 points out of the Wolves and Chelsea we would be pretty much qualified.
To have lost it 6-1, and for the most part to have been completely spineless has been really disapointing.
Unai's worst 2 games for us. He got the line up, tatics and subs wrong. The mentality of these players is shocking - when ever there is real pressure on we go to pot. Its the playing wages that are killing us financial and they just arent earning it. Ollie has been poor all season - and had 4 clear chances today and missed 3 and strayed offside for the other.
Onana just goes missing when he is needed most. Konsa seems to have gone to pot. The problem is with the money, and rules To blow CL football for a second season in a row could be a real sliding doors moment.
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
I definitely think we can turn this around and I think Man Utd are going to be on the sharp end of this up turn, wait and see.
We go to Old Trafford and we win.
Hope work isn’t early tomorrow.
That’s going to be a 6/7/8-0 shellacking
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Manchester United could be in the isthmian league and still beat us.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Hindsight. Really?
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Emery doubled down and the consequences were predictable. At least he shifted Buendia and Rogers around but that aside same team that flunked it v Leeds. Very strange. Kamikaze tactics at best that verged on a rabble in the second half. Going with a man less in midfield than a technically superior Chelsea was silly. Injuries in midfield aside his team is firmly in decline now. Taking off Luiz again early beggared belief. No idea where we go from here. Further down the table most likely.
Martinez 5 - couple of great saves but an unnecessary parry finished the game.
Cash 4 - roasted by Garnacho but tactically Emery had to address the space over there
Konsa 3 - miles off it in recent games, played onside for one of the goals
Mings 2 - sad but playing against a top forward tonight he was brutally exposed. Finished at the highest level
Maatsen 7 - kept trying to do the right thing, a rare positive on the night throughout
Onana 1 - charlatan of the highest order.
Luiz 7 - fine goal and was setting a good tempo - reward - hooked on the hour
Bailey 5 - fortunate assist. Better I thought, from a very low base mind
Rogers 2 - shit attitude from the start, gave away the ball constantly all night. Stayed on naturally
Buendia 5 - decent first half I thought, gave away horrible ball for one of the goals, put Ollie through
Watkins 6 - hard to rate, did a awful lot right. Movement much better, key to our goal, but horrible at the key moments
Bogarde was destroyed at right back, Sancho lovely touches and no delivery, Alysson ok, Barkley nice cross for Tammy but can't play in midfield, Tammy, maybe should score when he hit the bar
Emery - awful night, selections, subs, tactics - heart and legs gone from the team and possibly the coach.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Hindsight wasn't needed for this one. As soon as I saw that Bailey and Watkins were starting (and I don't like Luiz and Onana as our midfield 2), I was pretty confident of a defeat, as I think many were. I didn't quite think it would be that embarrassing, though.
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I could sell my soul to Satan for a win at Old Trafford and I think even he couldn't make it happen.
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Onana is playing like a man who get injured a lot but wants to go to the World Cup in the summer.
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The start of the match thread shows that virtually no one was a fan of the starting 11.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Hindsight wasn't needed for this one. As soon as I saw that Bailey and Watkins were starting (and I don't like Luiz and Onana as our midfield 2), I was pretty confident of a defeat, as I think many were. I didn't quite think it would be that embarrassing, though.
If you read my pre-match team selection, you will see that it was very different to the one selected tonight. When we went 1-0 up, I bet there were a few who thought Emery had, in fact got it right. The selection was wrong, plain and simple, to rely on players who might have done it at some point in the past is hurting us now.
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I actually enjoyed the first half. At least we played with energy, although there were plenty of signs to tighten up at the back.
Another day, we go in at half time 2-1 to the good, but when you’re on the run we’re on, we go down 2-1 with an almost identical decision to make by VAR.
Second half we have been extremely sloppy with possession and our back line was even more shocking than the first half. Is that down to Mings or Konsa or both? Who’s in charge of that back line?
Buendia and Rogers have been so careless with the ball and it was harder for Ollie not to score than score. Suddenly instead of 2-3 we’re 4-1 down and fucked.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Cash was walking a red card tightrope as Garnacho was seeing a hell of a lot of the ball. He didn’t show much attacking threat in the first half but that option was completely out of the window when Bogarde was put there, that attacking option was then gone, which in turn limited the options in midfield. I didn’t think either midfield was great but Dougie in the limited (2nd) time he’s been here always makes me think he’s likely to do something than Onana who’s struggling, along with the majority, at the moment.
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
I definitely think we can turn this around and I think Man Utd are going to be on the sharp end of this up turn, wait and see.
We go to Old Trafford and we win.
Ha ha ha.
We’ll get absolutely pulped in that game.
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Onana is playing like a man who get injured a lot but wants to go to the World Cup in the summer.
That and a complete absence of footballing ability. Cheers Unai
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Hindsight wasn't needed for this one. As soon as I saw that Bailey and Watkins were starting (and I don't like Luiz and Onana as our midfield 2), I was pretty confident of a defeat, as I think many were. I didn't quite think it would be that embarrassing, though.
If you read my pre-match team selection, you will see that it was very different to the one selected tonight. When we went 1-0 up, I bet there were a few who thought Emery had, in fact got it right. The selection was wrong, plain and simple, to rely on players who might have done it at some point in the past is hurting us now.
I really don't think, even at 1-0, that many will have thought he got the selection right. We've all seen it too often in recent weeks to know what was coming. They cut through us willfully most of the game.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
There’s no hindsight about it - it was very evident, and called out, pre-game. Sadly the manager is inexplicably unaware at the moment.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing…..
Go have a look at the first 4-5 pages of the match thread.
There wasn’t just the odd eye brow raised, pretty much everyone who posted said the same thing…..suicidal team selection.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the side selected was not the right one, we were schooled by Chelsea this evening and failed to lay a glove on them. Weird choices as subs, unless Cash and Luiz are carrying knocks and needed protecting. Poor passing, poor finishing, poor movement. Chelsea were superior in every department, we gave the ball away twice in their half and they cut through us really well to score twice. If you start with Bailey and Buendia, as they are inferior players, we are likely to fall behind eventually, despite our positive start. We seem to lack bottle and I hope Emery can get this lot into some sort of shape for the Lille game or we will be going out in the round of 16. A real 1 out of 10 performance tonight.
Hindsight wasn't needed for this one. As soon as I saw that Bailey and Watkins were starting (and I don't like Luiz and Onana as our midfield 2), I was pretty confident of a defeat, as I think many were. I didn't quite think it would be that embarrassing, though.
If you read my pre-match team selection, you will see that it was very different to the one selected tonight. When we went 1-0 up, I bet there were a few who thought Emery had, in fact got it right. The selection was wrong, plain and simple, to rely on players who might have done it at some point in the past is hurting us now.
I really don't think, even at 1-0, that many will have thought he got the selection right. We've all seen it too often in recent weeks to know what was coming. They cut through us willfully most of the game.
Yes they did, we were far too passive. They were absolutely dominant, possibly and embarrasingly, the easiest game they've had for a while. Villa were absolutely horrendous tonight.
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Again.
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That was absolute crap after the first 15 mins. It pains me to say it but smirker is right - Watkins is finished. The only players that come out of that shit with any credit are Luiz and Barkley - and McGrath only knows why Emery decided to sub Luiz. Rogers and Buendia were woeful. The reffing was also so biased it invites suggestions of corruption. Unai has been tremendous for us, and yes we do have key players missing, but we have shown nothing over the past couple of months to convince that we are Champion's League pedigree. Emery can definitely turn it around but right now his stubbornness and predictability are killing us.
I definitely think we can turn this around and I think Man Utd are going to be on the sharp end of this up turn, wait and see.
We go to Old Trafford and we win.
I love your optimism but I'm worried for your mental health if you actually believe any of that! Hopefully you're just drowning your sorrows and are heavily into a sesh. Stay safe BV.
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Unacceptable - everyone one from the manager through to every player should be embarrassed. We continue to do the same thing every week and it’s fucking obvious it’s not working.
We’ve lost three key players - that’s rough. It’s not an excuse to be as bad as we have been for weeks. Guess what if they’re integral to playing the way we wanted to play maybe try something different when they’re not available. There are teams with less talent playing much better than us.
Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
Completely agree Paul. You would think after the disgraceful performance vs wolves they would show guts pride and passion. Only luiz showed that today. They disgraced the club. Fucking pathetic
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I fucking hate football...
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I actually enjoyed the first half. At least we played with energy, although there were plenty of signs to tighten up at the back.
Another day, we go in at half time 2-1 to the good, but when you’re on the run we’re on, we go down 2-1 with an almost identical decision to make by VAR.
Second half we have been extremely sloppy with possession and our back line was even more shocking than the first half. Is that down to Mings or Konsa or both? Who’s in charge of that back line?
Buendia and Rogers have been so careless with the ball and it was harder for Ollie not to score than score. Suddenly instead of 2-3 we’re 4-1 down and fucked.
Mings I guess but looked to my eye he was dropping off a lot. Complete confusion between Konsa and himself whether to drop off or push up. Would be interested to hear the views of those in VP to see what was going on there....No pressure on the ball with Chelsea having a man extra in midfield so it was very high risk.
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Onana is playing like a man who get injured a lot but wants to go to the World Cup in the summer.
Onana’s effort has been lamentable.
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I think as PWA said above, from the position we were in a few weeks ago, it would be unacceptable for us not to get Champions League.
From that position we just needed the average form we have had under Emery to walk CL, and with Mid Table form we would still make it.
And thats a strange thought - for the first time under Unai - it feels there is a very real risk of us underachieving. Our worst possible team under Emery should be able to get midtable results. But were not and thats what feels so strange and depressing.
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Think I'll watch Newsnight instead of MOTD.
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I actually enjoyed the first half. At least we played with energy, although there were plenty of signs to tighten up at the back.
Another day, we go in at half time 2-1 to the good, but when you’re on the run we’re on, we go down 2-1 with an almost identical decision to make by VAR.
Second half we have been extremely sloppy with possession and our back line was even more shocking than the first half. Is that down to Mings or Konsa or both? Who’s in charge of that back line?
Buendia and Rogers have been so careless with the ball and it was harder for Ollie not to score than score. Suddenly instead of 2-3 we’re 4-1 down and fucked.
Mings I guess but looked to my eye he was dropping off a lot. Complete confusion between Konsa and himself whether to drop off or push up. Would be interested to hear the views of those in VP to see what was going on there....No pressure on the ball with Chelsea having a man extra in midfield so it was very high risk.
I’d like to hear the thoughts of the boss on this one. I’m sure he will asked.
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Unacceptable - everyone one from the manager through to every player should be embarrassed. We continue to do the same thing every week and it’s fucking obvious it’s not working.
We’ve lost three key players - that’s rough. It’s not an excuse to be as bad as we have been for weeks. Guess what if they’re integral to playing the way we wanted to play maybe try something different when they’re not available. There are teams with less talent playing much better than us.
Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
Got to agree. Yes our options in certain positions are limited but to keep picking players who have severely underperformed when you have other options isn’t great. You need a plan B&C so you can chop and change accordingly.
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Think I'll watch Newsnight instead of MOTD.
I would rather watch TOWIE (and thats me absolutely detesting that show abd everyone associated with it!) Than watch that garbage again
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I can take losing, i just cant stomach the idea of all that good stuff before Xmas just being utterly undone and blown away by a poor end to the season - a bit like Gregory's first year. None of that will count for anything if we finish outside the top five on a run of defeats.
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Still joint third as it stands.
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They outclassed us - Pedro led both Mings and Konsa a merry dance - Palmer was excellent for them
We just seemed to run out of steam after 20 mins - and they just passed the ball around us
Buendia and Bailey how do they both keep getting picked - Unai needs to long hard look at the team - and hopefully we can get a good result next week in the Europa
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As shit as we were, and we were shit, anyone have the lines for the Watkins and Pedro "goals"?
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We need to go for some warm weather training or whatever the ‘we are on a shite run’ cliche is.
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We need to go for some warm weather training or whatever the ‘we are on a shite run’ cliche is.
If only we could play us.
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Still joint third as it stands.
I cannot believe this. Unbelievable
It really does show how poor the standatd of the league is.
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The standard of the league is very high. I don't get why people think the standard is low because the Sky6 aren't pissing it. When the reason they aren't is how good everyone else is.
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It's the hope that kills you. I hoped we were were building something special when Collymore arrived and it all evaporated. I hoped we were going to break through when MON was getting 6th place finishes and that collapsed like a house of cards. This time with Unai it hasn't just been hope but real expectation that we were breaking through.
Maybe it's for the best if we once again have it all snatched away. We would just turn into the very things we hate about modern football. The corrupt financial system put in place to protect the world wide brand clubs that can generate so much money for vested interests. The whole bloody media hype, entitled fans, manager merry go rounds, overpriced tickets if you can even get hold of them, half and half scarfs and bloody tourists.
I hate modern football.
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Point of order weren’t not joint third, we’re fourth. Much like last season when we finished sixth not fifth.
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I do not believe that tonight's performance was gutless or passionless.
It was incompetent, which is more concerning on many levels.
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We need to go for some warm weather training or whatever the ‘we are on a shite run’ cliche is.
If only we could play us.
The universe would implode.
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I do not believe that tonight's performance was gutless or passionless.
It was incompetent, which is more concerning on many levels.
It’s definitely all of those things.
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Unai post match
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=34247026974943468
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The disappointing thing about all of this is that outside of all the noise, I thought we were set with Emery. The game would still be twisted and ridiculous and the ESL clubs would still have things handed to them on a plate, but we'd be there, a thorn in everyone's side, a team which would be a regular cup final opponent. And then when Emery left, we'd be in such a good state that another elite coach would slot in no questions asked. And we were so nearly there as well.
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Fell apart after their first and the second killed us. A game of fine margins and had Watkins goal not been a millimetre offside the game would’ve been a lot closer. What has this game turned into? The excitement has been stripped bare by the shit show that is VAR, pathetic refereeing and certain clubs being allowed to spend what they like. It’s times like this that I find my support for our club get stronger as I give 2 fingers to the pathetic people who run this game.
We’ve been decimated by injuries and cannot replace them, they won’t allow us to spend a penny. We weren’t good enough tonight but I stayed to the end to clap them off as it’s us against them now and I’m firmly behind us.
Didn’t agree with the line up but there’s not a chance in hell I’m kicking Emery while he’s down.
UTFV
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Tonight laid bare the facts.
They were better, stronger, faster and the quality was way above anything we could match.
We better get used to it because this is the future. We've had our moment but it's gone.
And that is just how it needs to be for the continued progression of the EPL.
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Onana is playing like a man who get injured a lot but wants to go to the World Cup in the summer.
Onana’s effort has been lamentable.
...except for the huge celebratory effort he put in with the crowd when Watkins 'scored' the disallowed goal.
Great at cheerleading, but for the rest of the time, he was missing again. He had no influence in the game, and let their midfield run the game.
As for the Garnacho thing, it was obvious to everyone from early on, but there was no change, nobody to cut out the supply and no effective support for Cash or Bogarde.
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The disappointing thing about all of this is that outside of all the noise, I thought we were set with Emery. The game would still be twisted and ridiculous and the ESL clubs would still have things handed to them on a plate, but we'd be there, a thorn in everyone's side, a team which would be a regular cup final opponent. And then when Emery left, we'd be in such a good state that another elite coach would slot in no questions asked. And we were so nearly there as well.
I'd we finish Top 5 I think we can do that, with better recruitment. Without it, we're back to the drawing board.
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I thought it was better than it has been in an attacking sense than the last few games but thats where the slight postives end. The class told eventually, Pedro especially was very good. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of options at the moment to make a difference.
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Tonight laid bare the facts.
They were better, stronger, faster and the quality was way above anything we could match.
We better get used to it because this is the future. We've had our moment but it's gone.
And that is just how it needs to be for the continued progression of the EPL.
We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
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Twenty minutes against PSG: as good as it got.
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Tonight laid bare the facts.
They were better, stronger, faster and the quality was way above anything we could match.
We better get used to it because this is the future. We've had our moment but it's gone.
And that is just how it needs to be for the continued progression of the EPL.
We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the table that we climbed was two seasons gone behind.
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We've turned into a "fashion brand" selling loads of Adidas gear - we need to revert to SGT's 89-90 team, played same colours virtually every match, f**k the f**kers!
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With the Watkins offside - why didn't we get the 5cm of tolerance? Oh! Yeah! We're not Liverpool.
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Unacceptable - everyone one from the manager through to every player should be embarrassed. We continue to do the same thing every week and it’s fucking obvious it’s not working.
We’ve lost three key players - that’s rough. It’s not an excuse to be as bad as we have been for weeks. Guess what if they’re integral to playing the way we wanted to play maybe try something different when they’re not available. There are teams with less talent playing much better than us.
Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
Amen.
I've been saying for weeks we needed to re-enforce the midfield, throw an extra body in there. What happens? Nothing. Unai goes to the same theory as our poor run at the beginning of the season, the players need to adapt to his approach and eventually they'll get it right. Once they do we'll be fine. He was right but now working with inferior players, sadly it doesn't work. It never will work. He needs to stop and address the fucking elephant in the room.
Positive from tonight: I thought Dougie looked more like the player we all loved. Not perfect but a massive improvement. The less said about the lanky streak of piss next to him (copyright Chris Jameson) the better.
Once again, over to you, Unai.
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I'd really like to be more positive, but I just can't.
We have to scrape what we can while others cherry pick and the result is there for all to see.
We may make the CL this season, but you can be sure everything will stacked against to stop it happening again. It's not an inferiority complex but the hard truth.
We are allowed the Cup, Europe League, the odd foray into the top competition but that's it's.
Cannon folder, for eternity.
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With the Watkins offside - why didn't we get the 5cm of tolerance? Oh! Yeah! We're not Liverpool.
Watkins was punished for the size of his feet. Ridiculous decision by VAR that completely changed the game. Watkins wearing Ronald McDonald's boots didn't help especially as we played for the first time maybe this season, in a form that suited his strengths. As others have pointed out, he really should have scored four tonight.
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Watched it on the box at home. Turning points for me wete Ollie being judged millimetres offside and Pedro being judged to be millimetres onside. Those decisions are at the behest of whoever has the power to move the mouse forward one frame or back one frame. In real time Ollie looked slightly on and Pedro looked slightly off. McManaman said the same. Thought he was excellent btw. The other turning point was Ollies golden chance to make it 2-3. Once again he fluffed his lines and they went down the other end to make it 1-4. It was alarming how easily they opened us up. Garnacho had the time of his life
Next up Man Utd. Ollie MUST be dropped to the bench and Tammy must start. Bailey should be nowhere near the first eleven.
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Will be a cricket score against rat FC
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Last year we had Rashford and Asensio to turn the game. This year we didn't.
It's about quality. We're not allowed to have any.
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Positive from tonight: I thought Dougie looked more like the player we all loved. Not perfect but a massive improvement. The less said about the lanky streak of piss next to him (copyright Chris Jameson) the better.
Once again, over to you, Unai.
[/quote]
With all respect to Chris Jamieson the quote I remember is “ you long streak of paralysed piss” from Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday
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Positive from tonight: I thought Dougie looked more like the player we all loved. Not perfect but a massive improvement. The less said about the lanky streak of piss next to him (copyright Chris Jameson) the better.
Once again, over to you, Unai.
With all respect to Chris Jamieson the quote I remember is “ you long streak of paralysed piss” from Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday
[/quote]
Ha! Chris was describing himself and he was spot on.
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Ollie MUST be dropped to the bench and Tammy must start. Bailey should be nowhere near the first eleven.
Watkins will start.
The Meritocracy that has often been a strength under Emery has gone. The idea that Watkins has been carrying an injury is starting to look quite hollow when there is a very good alternative in form and hungry that is not starting. Plus, most players carry injuries/niggles over a season.
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On another note, the amount of Chelsea tourists in the Witton today was a joke. This is on top of a few (more subtle) Leeds fans the other week. Maybe the atmosphere would be better if we didn't sell our grossly overpriced tickets to fucking away fans...
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Positive from tonight: I thought Dougie looked more like the player we all loved. Not perfect but a massive improvement. The less said about the lanky streak of piss next to him (copyright Chris Jameson) the better.
Once again, over to you, Unai.
With all respect to Chris Jamieson the quote I remember is “ you long streak of paralysed piss” from Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday
Ha! Chris was describing himself and he was spot on.
[/quote]
I defer to your superior knowledge of lanky streaks of piss!
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Ollie MUST be dropped to the bench and Tammy must start. Bailey should be nowhere near the first eleven.
Watkins will start.
The Meritocracy that has often been a strength under Emery has gone. The idea that Watkins has been carrying an injury is starting to look quite hollow when there is a very good alternative in form and hungry that is not starting. Plus, most players carry injuries/niggles over a season.
I can only think he's trying to drain ever last drop of confidence out of Abraham before starting him to prove to everybody he was right and we need to play Watkins. Nothing makes sense.
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Watched it on the box at home. Turning points for me wete Ollie being judged millimetres offside and Pedro being judged to be millimetres onside. Those decisions are at the behest of whoever has the power to move the mouse forward one frame or back one frame. In real time Ollie looked slightly on and Pedro looked slightly off. McManaman said the same. Thought he was excellent btw. The other turning point was Ollies golden chance to make it 2-3. Once again he fluffed his lines and they went down the other end to make it 1-4. It was alarming how easily they opened us up. Garnacho had the time of his life
Next up Man Utd. Ollie MUST be dropped to the bench and Tammy must start. Bailey should be nowhere near the first eleven.
Not much in either decision but on the replays it looked the opposite to me, Watkins offside and Pedro on, although they seemed to show the Villa one more than the Chelsea one.
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Ollie MUST be dropped to the bench and Tammy must start. Bailey should be nowhere near the first eleven.
Watkins will start.
The Meritocracy that has often been a strength under Emery has gone. The idea that Watkins has been carrying an injury is starting to look quite hollow when there is a very good alternative in form and hungry that is not starting. Plus, most players carry injuries/niggles over a season.
I can only think he's trying to drain ever last drop of confidence out of Abraham before starting him to prove to everybody he was right and we need to play Watkins. Nothing makes sense.
Nothing makes sense. Roll on the same thing again next game.
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Unacceptable - everyone one from the manager through to every player should be embarrassed. We continue to do the same thing every week and it’s fucking obvious it’s not working.
We’ve lost three key players - that’s rough. It’s not an excuse to be as bad as we have been for weeks. Guess what if they’re integral to playing the way we wanted to play maybe try something different when they’re not available. There are teams with less talent playing much better than us.
Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
Amen.
I've been saying for weeks we needed to re-enforce the midfield, throw an extra body in there. What happens? Nothing. Unai goes to the same theory as our poor run at the beginning of the season, the players need to adapt to his approach and eventually they'll get it right. Once they do we'll be fine. He was right but now working with inferior players, sadly it doesn't work. It never will work. He needs to stop and address the fucking elephant in the room.
Positive from tonight: I thought Dougie looked more like the player we all loved. Not perfect but a massive improvement. The less said about the lanky streak of piss next to him (copyright Chris Jameson) the better.
Once again, over to you, Unai.
Agreed on both counts. Dougie has played well in the last two games for me. Inexplicably replaced in both. He was poor v Leeds and Brighton but there's still a decent footballer in there. Still lacks half a yard at times when it comes to closing down players, similar to Tielemans early on. Stick in Bogarde in there in a three and give Luiz more scope to push forward. He nearly scored v Wolves and did tonight.
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Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
If unacceptable happens you would obviously want Unai to be sacked?
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Chucking away Champions League qualification from the position we’d gotten ourselves into would be unacceptable.
If unacceptable happens you would obviously want Unai to be sacked?
Couldn't just sell all our players and with the money get Unai to buld a really shit hot 5 a side team?