Matt

Atleast this was inside the box I guess.

Ipswich are just relentless. Hunting in packs, remember when we used to do that? Our last 3 managers have banged on about control, i've never felt so in control as when we used to hunt in packs with and without the ball, meanwhile under than last 3 managers we're playing on the edge of our own 18 yard box I don't feel we're in control at all, constantly waiting for the inevitable **** up. Yes I appreciate its 0-0 at half time and for all we know it might finish that way, hopefully for our sakes it does but I know who poses more threat and who is more exciting between us and them.

I'm just glad (Well i'm not glad, wish the style was abolished. It's nonsense) people have finally caught up with the criticisms of possession based football, seeing and calling it for what it is, nonsense. Welcome! But where have you all been?! The irony being I think what we're currently seeing is actually better than the previous 7 years (That doesn't mean i'm advocating it) where only the minority seemed fed up and annoyed with it, it's currently not great and not good enough, far from it, but I can get behind it more than the rest of the nonsense we've seen in recent years.

From the moment we were linked his strong associations with Pep and Man City were always red flags and cause for concern for me, I put all concerns to one side and generally I’ve enjoyed this season and how we’ve played for the most part, this is coming from someone who despises possession based football, however those concerns are coming to roost.

Forget “we’ll get better as the season goes on” we’ve been using this style, philosophy, whatever you wanna call it, on a whole for 7 years now, we’ve never mastered it and quite frankly you’d imagine it’d be quite rare for a club like this to ever master it. When do we/they come to terms with it’s not a great watch, it’s not that successful or sustained? The last 7 years, under the last 3 long term/permanent managers appointed there has been a common denominator that fans have described it, boring. Point being not one single constant style is great to watch, successful or sustained. It becomes predictable, easy to play again and boring. Adapt, mix it up abit. Is it too much to ask?

Do you know what makes me believe in “the idea” less? Doubling down on it.

Seven. Systematically coming since the implementation of a change in style by direction.

Correct, can’t have it both ways and I’d be inclined to agree with Wenger’s rationale. Physically and mentality draining. Found him boring too but it worked for them/him. Atleast everyone didn’t try and copy his style, teams had their own identities and played to their own strengths. In the modern game it’s mainly a one size fits all style regardless of whether you can play it or not.

A big thing made by fans is boredom. Are the players bored? As silly as it sounds (even to myself), there is a case to be made and a discussion to be had.

I’m still trying to work out how this style is any more “sustainable” than any other style. Or how this style “preserves energy” and/or “tires the opposition out” when we look more knackered than them? It’s all buzzwords and cliches. People have been brainwashed and have been for years.

I’m sorry but if you can’t see the differences then I’m afraid you’re part of the problem.

I wasn’t too pissed off last night but having slept on it that was the worst performance of the season. Absolutely honking.

Think i'd be considering my options and asking to leave.

Oh yeah, you get the feeling he (And again let me broaden it out, the modern manager) would rather every goal has to be walked in and be the 'perfect' goal.

Fair I can't disagree with any of that. I guess i'm speaking purely from a boredom/fed up of the styles implemented comparison and perspective, but all of what you said is actually comparable.

And there lies to problem of the modern manager. Certain other managers, usually the older managers have a stigma, often labelled 'dinosaurs', I think most modern managers are the dinosaurs.

Agree with all of that. It's quite clear I dislike possession based football, on large i've not had ,many issues with what Enzo has bought. So many people comparing his style to Rodgers, such bad takes, it's nothing like that and even when it has been boring at times nothing compares to how bored and fed up I was under Rodgers. However, as with all modern managers, hes needs to swallow some pride, admit when it's not working and change even if it goes against 'his way'.

I've stuck up for the style for the most part of this season saying I got it, in this league, it was working, key word being was. We've been found out, change something, stop being so pigheaded and 'it my way', 'my philosophy', it'd nonsense. Another thing, one of the ideologies behind this style is it's supposedly 'sustainable', it's meant to 'tire the opposition out' - doesn't look sustainable and we look more tired than the opposition. Genuinely want opinions and discussion on my last point because those who for some beknown reason like and want us to play this way who believe 'its the way to play the game', those who have a holier than thou attitude against any other way of playing won't have that any other way is 'sustainable'. It's pure football snobbery.

Luckily with Leeds drawing it's not done too much damage but why do we make it so hard for ourselves? We deserve no favours, it's pathetic. I've stuck up for the style for the most part of this season saying I got it, in this league, it was working, key word being was. W've been found out, change something, stop being so pigheaded and 'it my way', 'my philosophy', it'd nonsense. Another thing, one of the ideologies behind this style is it's supposedly 'sustainable', it's meant to 'tire the opposition out' - doesn't look sustainable and we look more tired than the opposition.

Hang on a minute. Hoofing up field, when there are options is a total no no. Hoofing up field when no-ones there, go for it? Beyond me.

I am. You've already mentioned both of them in your post.

Another great pod! Got the ‘Who Are You’ in one*, did question myself as I thought (like Jordan) that it had already been done but I think it was a ‘Where did he come from, Where did he go’. *Did help that for reasons I cannot remember I was looking at his career on Wikipedia a week or two ago and remembered his middle name but must have subconsciously took place of birth in aswell to get it off the first clue.

They're literally making it up as they go along. Also when the 'Greedy Six' flirted with a breakaway it was said 'You can give point deductions out, it only punishes the fans', what's different now? What's different for all the points deductions to 'smaller' clubs in the past. Hey, we're guilty, I hold my hands up and it cannot be defended, i'm actually for punishments, but let's have it across the board with transparency. The way this is been handled highlights that a regulator is needed now more than ever. It'll never actually happen though.

With danger of sounding like Maddison; they’ll be absolutely fine.

Well, we’ve clearly got to improve the team. If we’re in a position where we have a transfer embargo and can’t improve by bringing players in they leave us with no choice but hold on to what we have and not sell. They can’t back us into a corner saying “You must sell” on one hand but say we can’t replace them on the other.