Welcome Ange: To Dare is to Didgeridoo

[Gazza]

What’s the debate? Lock your thread.

He’s a brick hopeless clueless manager.

 

[tommysvr]

No you don't.
And no you won't.
You're a floppy-hat wearing, sunglasses-on, paisley shirt hippie with peace, love, understanding and custard running through your soul. This 'hate guy' you bring into the equation sometimes is a flimsey character.
You'd share your last bourbon cream with an Australian if they had nowt else to dip into their tea because underneath the keyboard, you're a lover!

How good that he's a loveable larrikin.

Can't imagine many of us would get the same response starting a thread about how much they hate a certain group of people. Because it's Australians it doesn't count I guess.

 

[thfcsteff]

How good that he's a loveable larrikin.

Can't imagine many of us would get the same response starting a thread about how much they hate a certain group of people. Because it's Australians it doesn't count I guess.

First of all, you're probably right and perhaps I am wrong to believe that he is not serious and doesn't mean it. He certainly has always been afforded an inconsistent dispensation with regards to views expressed. But I do not believe he means any of it.

Secondly, as I explained above, I might well be wrong to believe he is not for real on this, and I have long taken that position on many 'outspoken opinions' he has expressed. If I am wrong, then it is entirely, and not just this specific time. So nothing whatsoever to do with 'only Australians' and frankly, I'd have hoped over time here you'd have seen I don't run those sorts of races...

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

No you don't.
And no you won't.
You're a floppy-hat wearing, sunglasses-on, paisley shirt hippie with peace, love, understanding and custard running through your soul. This 'hate guy' you bring into the equation sometimes is a flimsey character.
You'd share your last bourbon cream with an Australian if they had nowt else to dip into their tea because underneath the keyboard, you're a lover!

Well I might not actually hate all Australians as that would be kind of wring. But by fcuking GHod I really fcuking hate one of them.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

How good that he's a loveable larrikin.

Can't imagine many of us would get the same response starting a thread about how much they hate a certain group of people. Because it's Australians it doesn't count I guess.

Believe it's called sledging and in Australia it stands for culture. But then as a country that is all the culture they have. Ain't that right skippy?

 

[tommysvr]

First of all, you're probably right and perhaps I am wrong to believe that he is not serious and doesn't mean it. He certainly has always been afforded an inconsistent dispensation with regards to views expressed. But I do not believe he means any of it.

Secondly, as I explained above, I might well be wrong to believe he is not for real on this, and I have long taken that position on many 'outspoken opinions' he has expressed. If I am wrong, then it is entirely, and not just this specific time. So nothing whatsoever to do with 'only Australians' and frankly, I'd have hoped over time here you'd have seen I don't run those sorts of races...

He may not really mean it and I don't care either way, I just find it weird that it's acceptable because it was him who posted it.

Your last sentence is exactly why I called you out on it.

 

[Muttley]

I just don't understand this comment mate.
I could name many players that neither Mourinho or Conte used, indeed, they froze them out.

That was exactly my point. With the budget constraints and the rate we were able to churn the squad with prior managers (including Poch), there was always a legitimate reason for them not to feel totally proprietorial about their squads. What I'm saying is because of the new club economy and the good work that was done before Ange joined, he has a fully stacked squad within his first 2 years. Apart from one, Reggie, they are all Ange players at this point.

I'm not saying we can't improve it. I'm saying we've reached the time where this is an Ange squad. We never got there with Jose and Conte. They were always operating with a lot of players that they didn't really want, even freezing them out, as you say. We're past that stage now with Ange who certainly showed that same treatment with guys like Dier, Reggie and Gio. It was minimised for him. However, after this recent window and the success of Spence as an alternative LB, we're there in all positions finally.

So to quote Scott Munn, the conditions have been set where you can be successful in your role.

 

[Muttley]

Still holes and weaknesses there as has been much discussed. But it's a squad that should be good enough and big enough to make his system work to at the very least a reasonable degree most of the time. Barring another ridiculous injury situation.

It's now a squad that in normalised conditions should be around about 4th or 5th in the league.

Not as good as Pool, Arse or City
Potentially as good as Chelsea who have sections of their squad that we're all still waiting on (despite money spent)
Better than Saudi Sportswashing Machine and the rest of the PL pack

It's why I made the comment the other day that from March onwards I'd like to see that reflected in points gained in the PL for the next 3 months.

 

[demotw]

It's now a squad that in normalised conditions should be around about 4th or 5th in the league.

Not as good as Pool, Arse or City
Potentially as good as Chelsea who have sections of their squad that we're all still waiting on (despite money spent)
Better than Saudi Sportswashing Machine and the rest of the PL pack

It's why I made the comment the other day that from March onwards I'd like to see that reflected in points gained in the PL for the next 3 months.

Do you think our squad is any better then Villa or Saudi Sportswashing Machine?

Seems right now at least we are in a battle for that 4th spot in terms of quality with 4/5 different teams. That said, what our team has that others have less so is a huge potential to grow due to the focus on younger plays. Individuals like Spence/Gray/Moore/Sarr will only get better due to the experience of this season.

 

[Muttley]

Do you think our squad is any better then Villa or Saudi Sportswashing Machine?

Seems right now at least we are in a battle for that 4th spot in terms of quality with 4/5 different teams. That said, what our team has that others have less so is a huge potential to grow due to the focus on younger plays. Individuals like Spence/Gray/Moore/Sarr will only get better due to the experience of this season.

So I think Saudi Sportswashing Machine have had to operate a model where they can't just throw a load of money at the problem because of FFP / PSR. They still have Targett, Lascelles, Wilson etc who are in transition mode as they churn further. They do have a couple of elite players in Isak and Guimaraes though. It's also the case that because they have to watch their spending closely, they're not able to get there quicker. They've certainly not been as active in the transfer window as us. Not much in it, but I think our squad is slightly better.

As for Villa, they are slowly improving but haven't dealt with UEFA football without it impacting them in the league. With pretty normal conditions they are only in 9th. I would rate our squad over theirs. The difference is Emery. He has optimised what he's had to work with. That has been with a ridiculously higher wages to revenue turnover and not without risk though. Our model is much more stable in my opinion.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

He may not really mean it and I don't care either way, I just find it weird that it's acceptable because it was him who posted it.

Your last sentence is exactly why I called you out on it.

People have been flagging the English and British for years. Often actually Australia that sport leading nation particularly partake in that. It's just sport fans.

But as your such a delicate little flower let me say how much I love Australia, barbecues and blokes that wrestle cross.

There do you feel nice and fuzzy now?

 

[thfcsteff]

He may not really mean it and I don't care either way, I just find it weird that it's acceptable because it was him who posted it.

Your last sentence is exactly why I called you out on it.

Choosing to frame me as an apologist for prejudice is a bunk move in MY opinion. FWIW I would've HAPPILY had this exchange/conversation in PM, and am happy to head to PM if you wish. Frankly, I'd be happy to draw a line under this and revert back to being the people I believe we know we are. If you agree, let's do it.

 

[tommysvr]

Choosing to frame me as an apologist for prejudice is a bunk move in MY opinion. FWIW I would've HAPPILY had this exchange/conversation in PM, and am happy to head to PM if you wish. Frankly, I'd be happy to draw a line under this and revert back to being the people I believe we know we are. If you agree, let's do it.

Not sure what you mean really. I’m not that bothered by him creating threads about hating all Australians — says more about him than anyone else. I just found your reply a bit weird, weird because I respect you and your posts on here. To me it read ‘he can say what he wants because deep down we know he’s a lover.’

Nothing more, no major issue. I’ve clearly offended you by questioning it, so I apologise.

 

[thfcsteff]

Not sure what you mean really. I’m not that bothered by him hating all Australians — says more about him than anyone else. I just found your reply a bit weird, weird because I respect you and your posts on here. To me it read ‘he can say what he wants because deep down we know he’s a lover.’

Nothing more, no major issue. I’ve clearly offended you by questioning it, so I apologise.

I, in turn, apologise for having got 'jumpy' my friend.

My reply to Chich was more to say that after many years on this forum, I still see him, he is a provocateur and (IMO) absolutely not the 'character' he paints in those moments i.e. he is not fooling anyone with the 'talk'.

Anyhow, again, apologies for snapping back and here's to Ange leading us to glory in Spain at the end of the season!

 

[spurspinter1]

It's easier to tolerate a "character" online when you have the ability to click ignore. Spare a thought for those actually in the same vicinity without the same option, who may actually feel physically uncomfortable with the brick the reprobate comes out with and general vibes given off.