Manchester United banter 2

26 Jan 2026 16:29:55
Has anybody mentioned how well Dorgu contorted his body to avoid handling the ball before his fantastic strike? I bet 9 out of 10 players would not have managed to do that. Dorgu has come in for some criticism - to begin with he was running around like a chicken with his head cut off - but clearly is now beginning to show that he was an astute purchase in any system.

Maguire and Shaw, both much maligned, once again silencing the critics with assured mature performances.

The last two games have been great, but as many have pointed out, we need to start beating the nominally lesser teams. ECL qualification is now an expectation rather than an idle fancy. The difference to the club going forward will be immense in financial terms, allowing us extra funds, and making the us more appealing to top players.

Firing Amorim was a big and embarrassing reversal, but if we end up in the ECL, we'll look back on the decision as a really good and brave one.

26 Jan 2026 18:07:33
Ballon d’Orgu had a great game and is now showing his worth. I hope his injury is minor.

26 Jan 2026 18:33:07
Spot on, can't believe I am saying this but Harry Maguire was, by far, the best Centre Back on the pitch yesterday and to be fair his performances over recent month's have been of an impressive standard. The issue, of course, if you are playing a much higher defensive line he is going to be caught with his lack of mobility and pace.

This weekend for instance against Fulham, who I suspect will sit much deeper than City and Arsenal thus requiring us to adopt a much higher line could be problematic. Not sure MC will change anything but a good argument could be put forward for Ayden Heaven or Leny Yoro to come into the side to bring some of that needed pace. Would still be happy for HM to get a new deal (reduced terms) could still do a good job in the right games.

Agree about Shaw, he has been excellent all season, both as a Centre Back and Full Back. Obviously fitness will be the issue of concern for him.

What has pleased me over the last 2 games, possibly more than the results, has been the wins were no smash and grab jobs but we went toe to toe, face to face with them and beat them purely by playing better than them. This, is very encouraging going forward.

Don't know if you have seen the comments from Arsene Wenger following the game, but they seem pretty damning to me as to what he thinks of their tactics-

''I would say the goals scored on both sides illustrated a little bit the way the two teams played. Man United built up well and had good cohesion, and Arsenal's goals were decided more by power and fighting on the corner for the second, for example, and the first goal too — it was not clean play.
They gave everything, Arsenal, but they lacked a bit of patience and technical cohesion, which Man United had. I think there is something going on in this Man United team between the way they beat Man City and they beat Arsenal today. The way they played was very convincing.
When Arsenal came back to 2-2, usually it's the home team that wins the game. And they found the resources again to score the third goal and to win 3-2 away from home in a top level game.
So I must congratulate Carrick, he has created something. "

Wow, he praises us and makes clear he is fed up of Arteta ball and their fouling and manhandling of players and goalkeepers on corners which are meant to cause chaos and allow them to physically dominate and score a goal. Not sure that epitomises the style and philosophy of Wenger!

Finally, disappointed with Keane, his comments were clearly entirely personal and had no basis in football achievement or abilities, fancy him bearing a long term grudge! You should be better than that Keano.

{Ed025's Note - to be fair to Slab head IWOTB he has played well the last 2 games, you need to keep him in the side if only to keep the useless Yoro and Heaven out of it imo mate

26 Jan 2026 19:27:34
Yoro and Heaven are young, and they're probably both more suited to playing in a. back 4. Hopefully they will develop. Yoro doesn't have the speed or the physique to play in a back 3. Having him have to come out to contain fast wingers cost us dearly. I put that down to Amorim's intransigence. He was thrown to the wolves. It destroyed his confidence and his performances suffered.

Amorim simply refused to compensate for the injuries to Maguire and de Ligt by changing the system, which would have put less pressure on Casemiro (who played a whole game yesterday), and enabled him to push Bruno further forward as Carrick has done. But then Amorim didn't want Mainoo, and moving Bruno forward would have meant bringing Mainoo back into the picture.

26 Jan 2026 19:29:19
Not a fan then ed of two young lads?

I thought heaven has looked good but Amorims set up didn't favour either of them. Exposed them if anything. But they're very young in a poor performing united team.

{Ed025's Note - they are young so i wont write them off just yet Angel, but what i have seen of them they will have to improve greatly if they are to be considered good enough for a top team mate..

26 Jan 2026 21:30:39
Both going to be good players IMO. Heaven looks a bit ahead of Yoro for me, so calm on the ball. Yoro has got caught out a little with runners cutting in on him, but earlier in the season. - when he had De Ligt next to him - he looked better.

Difficult to look strong with Dalot or Amad playing wing back next to you and a constantly changing back line.

26 Jan 2026 21:33:16
Ed25

I actually think Heaven is far better than you are making out there.

{Ed025's Note - he is weak Red Man and positionally very green, mark my words mate he is poor...but young so has time to improve i suppose..

26 Jan 2026 23:10:32
Heaven has been really impressive to me, unsure about him being weak, hasn’t looked weak at all, and positionally in a 3 won’t really matter anymore as he will be playing in a back 4 so hopefully that’s ironed out. As said above, looks slightly ahead of Yoro but 2 very young lads who will improve.

27 Jan 2026 21:34:52
I think they have both done well in a difficult time and with a poor set up that was constantly changing. Heaven has looked really good for his age, Yoro looks to have lost some confidence but he looked really promising before in a back 4. I'm glad we have them both, they'll come good.

26 Jan 2026 16:39:55
Hugely impressed by Carrick's tenure so far. Calm. Logical. Pragmatic. Yet hugely positive. His substitutions yesterday were a breath of fresh air.

His team selections are brave and show a team perspective in mind - not how much players cost or individual ability. That's not to be overly critical of Cunha, but his output had been patchy. Now Carrick has a selection dilemma - and that makes a refreshing change.

I'm keen to see the team for Fulham. There's good players not starting at the moment and this will test Carrick's leadership and individual man-management skills.

Despite this last two games, I'm not sure if Carrick is ready for the permanent step up (not that we should be making knee-jerk reactions at all, however the narrative will grow if the results remain). Sadly that's not so much his ability or potential, it's the toxic environment he has to operate in - especially the ex-player brigade (who should be ashamed of themselves) and some of the legacy media who have clear agendas. It's about time the club adopted some of Fergie's tactics and banned them from news conferences.

However, Carrick must remain in the club. Whoever we appoint, Carrick has to remain as Assistant Manager (or coach). Whilst I have no first hand evidence, I suspect Holland has had a major impact on the training ground and should also remain.

Final point. It goes a long way to show the incompetence of the executive leadership that the majority of our best performances post-Fergie have come under interim/caretaker managers.

It seems the more time they have to make big decisions the worse they are.

Anyhow. Enjoy the sunrise everybody - as history tells us the storm clouds are never far away. What's nice is Carrick seems to have brought an umbrella!

26 Jan 2026 17:43:46
Nicely put BRD.

26 Jan 2026 18:09:06
Thanks Jimbo. Just enjoying the new found optimism.

27 Jan 2026 00:53:18
I remain as optimistic as I've always been about the journey.

26 Jan 2026 12:39:27
Well played yesterday lads

You was by far the better team.

26 Jan 2026 13:13:08
Fair point well made Mal.

26 Jan 2026 15:22:44
Nice1 Mal.

27 Jan 2026 21:48:25
Fair play Mal, at least you have a little more class than your manager.

Surely having been brought up on Arsene Wenger's football it must be hard to watch your current side try to be a billion pound Stoke City.

26 Jan 2026 11:51:46
I see a lot of people jumping to Amorim’s defence in the wake of Utd’s huge upturn since his departure.

I think we can all mostly agree we liked him. We liked his no nonsense style, his passion and energy, and his approach the getting rid of the bad apples and changing the culture of the club.

Sadly he had more than one fatal flaw. His stubbornness. His steadfast, pig headed approach to his formation/tactics that suited not a single player in the squad (and even the youth squads didn’t adopt it) . Those amongst us that said it doesn’t matter what tactics we play as formations are fluid these days are talking drivel. It matters hugely. The players looked confused, and rigid, second guessing everything, which led to constant individual errors.

His second biggest flaw was doing all this at the expense of winning football matches. Which ultimately, as manager of Utd as we know, will cost you your job very quickly if you can’t do it.

I’m inclined to agree to disagree with the Amorim lovers. Clearly a good technical, ambitious young coach who has a big future in the game. But also very clearly and categorically the wrong hire for our club. Looking forward to the summer when we see who will be the new permanent Head Coach.

26 Jan 2026 12:11:36
He doesn't need to be defended its futile. Yesterday's man simple as that.
The only important thing is Carrick keeps us in the European places.
Great start i don't see any downside.
Idiots debating un-provable hypotheticals is just dumb as neither can be proven right or wrong
In all probability we would not have won those 2 games under him but you can say with any certainty either way.
He had flaws he couldn't overcome them.


He is gone.
Carrick needs to keep doing what he is doing and the rest will take care of itself.
I have no preference for new head coach at this time. Zero.
I think there are a dozen guys and each of them has as good a chance of succeeding or failing as the next guy.
Qualification for Europe is paramount obviously very preferable that its cl. Makes the world of difference for any amount of reasons.

26 Jan 2026 14:13:00
Absolutely Ken. Eric you had a reasonable point but you filled it with nonsense. You are stating several things there as facts that most certainly are not. I'm delighted with Carrick's start. I have no issue holding the notion that Carrick is doing great and being thrilled for him and also thinking that Amorim did a really good job but needed to learn the league and adapt.

You aren't as guilty of it as others but it is shadenfreude and this stating of opinion as facts reduces your argument significantly for the rest of us.

26 Jan 2026 14:40:04
My points on the old coach are my opinions alone. The facts are the very few matches we won with him in charge. As I have no insider knowledge, I also go by the reaction of the players and the uptick in their performances since he left - pretty compelling sign too.

All I’ll say is this. The last two games have been a beautiful and enjoyable breath of fresh air and release from the turgid footy we’ve all witnessed Here’s sincerely hoping we can carry it on.

26 Jan 2026 15:48:28
Don,

What is it with telling people their posts are nonsense? Especially when the majority of the things being said about Amorim are facts. I like Amorim, I didn’t want him sacked, but his results weren’t good enough, we didn’t win football matches.

Are you related to Amorim?

26 Jan 2026 16:21:35
Relax lads. If its Don's opinion that's its nonsense he is entitled to stay so. If he thinks it nonsense what's wrong with that if its his opinion.
Personally I've little or no lasting emotional attachment to 99% of staff employees. I've gotten to know a few over the years, some very well others not so well and those are the only ones I've met and connected with.
I wouldn't cross the road to say hello or take a selfie with any player or person I've not met.
Once a player or manager or exec goes they don't mean anything to me. I like to see 99% of ex united men do well because of their affiliation and history wih the club.


The king is dead long live the new king
Support them while their here when I feel they deserve my support and then let them loose when they go. Don't look back.
As fans we can't control the uncontrollable and have to accept decisions we don't agree with and whole heartedly accept the right of management and owners to make those decisions whether we like it or not.
We also have to accept we are not in the know most of the time so what looks like a bad decision from an uneducated position is not necessarily so.
Always look forward and not backwards.
You can learn from past mistakes but we need to look forward all the time.

26 Jan 2026 16:45:02
Hahaha ken, some change of tune out of you.

We were all clueless a few weeks ago when we just called out Amorim for what he had done to us over the time he had presided over us. He was overachieving and we would see that in time 😂

Brilliant! Keep it up.

26 Jan 2026 16:45:53
Amorim changed our toxic culture and was turning the ship around. He was not backed to implement his formation, and fell out with the club over it.

If the club was unable to bring in the players necessary to excel in his formation than they shouldn't have brought him in at all.

I think he has done a lot to help us turn the page on a highly toxic squad, but I think a lot if fans are happier playing with a back 4 and in a different way. His insistence on playing Bruno as an 8 and ignoring Mainoo was also a strange hill to die on, and eventually he died on that hill.

Our record of wins was poor, but this season we have not lost many league games. He was a necessary step in our come back as a club I think. I wish him well, and hope our experiment with a back 3 is gone forever.

26 Jan 2026 17:46:59
"Those amongst us that said it doesn’t matter what tactics we play as formations are fluid these days are talking drivel. " Apologies for calling stuff nonsense so much but it usually is in direct reply to this sort of thing.

26 Jan 2026 18:23:56
You said the same about eth angel and that's he would go on to win plenty that he be brilliant at bl now he's not even coaching.
But he left us in 14th and amrim got us to 6th when he left he improved us and got rid of some players.
Not a disaster appointment but ultimately not successful.
I wanted him to do well but he didn't do well enough.
He is gone i think we were in a far better place when he left than when he came.
Better fitter players and they all are working hard as a team so when I reflect on his time i'd say it was good but not good enough and his character flaws and inexperience counted against him.

I hope he does well in his next job. I really like his approach to a lot of things.
I don't care who the manager is next I've no strong feeling on anybody really.
I hope its somebody that I can relate to and like.
I know what its like to want a manager fired when you don't enjoy watching its not a good feeling.
I think the more rounded and mature supporters will acknowledge the good parts of his time here and see the positives.

26 Jan 2026 18:29:35
Eric you can't say huge upturn, you are forgetting the two games before the last two. Fletcher screwed that up royally.

In any case, I like and agree with most of your assessment about Amorim.

As Ken says, he has gone now and we move on.

I'm not going to write essays on Amorim anymore, but I will call out the occasional idiotic statement from the few.

I hope beyond hope Carrick gets another 15 wins.

The manager can get sorted in time, but maybe it is Carrick, time will tell.

26 Jan 2026 19:23:50
GDS in reply to you asking if I'm related to Amorim: I think I've been clear that Amorim had flaws and that discussion of those is fair game. He may not have been the answer. I just draw a line at suggesting we were completely crap and now are brilliant. I'm sick and tired of it.

I have said numerous times that I really hope Carrick does well and that he's done great so far. I just really dislike this line of discussion. Amorim did well, worked hard and improved us. If he's ever back at Old Trafford I'd hope he'd get a great reception.

26 Jan 2026 20:40:38
He will Don. As I said, we all genrelly liked his demeanour and approach, and wanted him to do welll.

But results and performances on the pitch were consistently sub par.

Onwards and upwards.

26 Jan 2026 21:32:02
Yep onwards and upwards. We have a really good shot at CL places and with our attackers settling in you can see the understanding really develop. I think the last two summers we have recruited really well. Get CL and recruit well again and we'll be knocking on the door.

26 Jan 2026 23:14:07
I also liked Amorim but ultimately results weren’t good enough, he wouldn’t change from a formation that wasn’t working and he fell out with the club. My comment about being related was just tongue in cheek mate, just seemed to be defending him a lot :)

27 Jan 2026 01:20:05
No worries fella. I reckon I need to proof read myself though. Coming across much harsher than I'm intending!

26 Jan 2026 09:36:15
Hopefully the sales of rashford and rasmus go through without a hitch in the summer. Rashford not getting off the bench again yesterday is a permanent sub.
Only scored in 3 league games last season in Spain.

Rasmus not scored since dec and again only scored in 3 league games all season.
Thankfully antony and garnacho were not loans with antony having a predictable slump and garnacho again not getting run off the beech.

All 4 have down flash in the pan form but not sustained it. We all know what that's like . It would be nice to have a summer with those gone nice and early. Neither Barcelona nor napoli are the easiest club to deal with. Hopefully the 2 lads will shower another boy patch of form and effort around April may.

26 Jan 2026 10:58:23
Morning Ken, I think the hojlund deal has an obligation in it that Napoli have to buy him as long as they qualify for UCL. Correct me if I’m wrong on that. As for rashford, Barcelona will be a nightmare and will probably try for another loan.

Put it this way if rashford can’t succeed at the team of his dreams then I’m not sure he will anywhere.

26 Jan 2026 14:38:59
I don't know the details at all Tim but i'm doubting that napoli will be in the cl next season.

26 Jan 2026 17:01:10
What happens if the club decides to save some money on transfers, spends all the fidget on midfield, and brings Rash back?

Will be a fanbase divided.

26 Jan 2026 18:24:52
They would save money giving him a few transfer.

26 Jan 2026 07:22:56
While Carrick is rightly getting all of the plaudits right now, I wonder how much of an impact Steve Holland is having behind the scenes with these players.

26 Jan 2026 08:16:18
They’re a collective coaching team. And have made a fabulous start. Whatever happens, the players are now playing with freedom, shackles off and with smiles on their faces. It’s so refreshing.

Seems we’ve now entered a time of negative hyberbole. Instead of praising Carrick and his team, Keane Neville et al are all saying there is no way he ought to ge the role full time regardless of what he does. Ridiculous to fall into either camp right now.

Simply mind boggling level of stupidity. Form an informed opinion at the end of the season based on results, playing style, atmosphere in the camp and long term plan. Frankly if he does well, Carrick deserves an interview at the very least.

26 Jan 2026 08:46:43
Some of these “even if he wins every game, he shouldn’t get the job” comments from former players are a little embarrassing.

The way this season is going, if we win all of our remaining games there’s a good chance we’ll win the league. I’m not saying that he’s the right man for the job (at this point, I think it’s far too early to make that call), but if he can secure a top four finish or better, I do think he deserves to be a part of the conversation, especially if the likes of Ancelloti and Luis Enrique aren’t interested.

26 Jan 2026 08:50:54
We are in the top 4 now in almost every main metric - points, expected goals for, expected goals against (i. e. 4th least), . Very obviously we were in a much better place under Amorim that far too many here suggest, but Carrick has made adjustments that appear to be helping.

Amorim hadn't shown enough capacity to really get that last bit out of this team. But can we stop this ridiculous bashing of him. It's inane.

26 Jan 2026 09:07:14
The decision to give Carrick the job full-time needs to be put on hold until the end of the season. For Keane to state at this stage that, even if he were to win every game, he shouldn't get the job smacks of a personal gripe/grudge.

What is for sure is that, if Carrick does well and gets the job, he's made it. If he does well but doesn't get the job, he will be snapped up by a good club.

So he's on a winner either way. Win-win for Carrick. The same isn't necessarily true for the club. He does well but is replaced by a different permanent manager who fails, or he does get the job, but then it all falls apart, the club will get slammed by the media and fans alike. This is United.

26 Jan 2026 09:10:37
A decision should be made at the end of the season.

The last two matches have been brilliant. It has been a joy to watch Utd as well.

26 Jan 2026 09:17:21
Carrick has been clever with his coaches, has brought in a couple of people close to him with Evans having a connection to the club. Bringing in Steve Holland adds an outside view who brings serious organisation and a coach that has shown adaptability to a variety of managers/head coaches.

I think the set up is working as a collective with Carrick having a core view of how he wants the team set up/play and allowing the coaches to have input into this.

Now we are onto the games we will have more of the possession, let's see how he does over these games. I was a fan of Amorim. but I have loved these past 2 games.

26 Jan 2026 09:58:50
Of course they’ll say that. Why would they heap more pressure on him by saying he should get it? They are taking the pressure off of him.
Pipe dream, if he got second they wouldn’t have any issue at all giving him a 2 year contract to give him a full season.

People read into things too much.

26 Jan 2026 10:01:52
I think I remember that the late and sorely-missed Ed002 really rated Holland.

26 Jan 2026 10:42:34
I love Keane and on paper what he said is a fair comment, "They need a bigger and better manager. The size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years, you want a manager who you feel can get them winning league titles. ''

However, Keane suggested Eddie Howe last week!

26 Jan 2026 10:44:51
He is a relaly good coach and did a great job on the England set up Wallace.
Coaching a footballing minnow country like England is not easy with crazy and unrealistic expectations is not easy and he did a great job with them.


The job should be accessed at the end of the season. If Carrick keeps us in the European places then he has a great shot at retaining the job.

{Ed025's Note -" a footballing minnow like England ken", now i know you are Irish mate but look at the star on the shirt.. :)

26 Jan 2026 11:02:40
He also rated Amorim! And recommended him for the job!

26 Jan 2026 11:16:05
1 comp win 60 years ago ed025.
England are a football minnows.
1 final in 60 years. Even Everton have more finals that that. 🤣
Not qualified for wc finals in those 60 years not qualified g for euro finals in those years. Hardly threatened to win a comp for 60 years. Definitely a footballing minnow in intl terms.


Of all those who claim to big big footballing nations i think England has won less than any of the major ones.
Footballing minnows at intl level whether you like it or not.
The worst winning record of all the major self proclaimed footballing nations.

{Ed025's Note - nah Ken we are still one of the big boys mate which is why we are always one of the favourites for all the big competitions, yes we should have won more but we are always there or thereabouts, minnows i think not..

26 Jan 2026 11:58:47
Czech Republic, Russia Denmark italy multiple France multiple Spain multiple Germany multiple Portugal just some of the european teams that have won a tournament since England.
Of all the counties that list football as a primary sport England are one if the least successful.
England who claim it as their national sport are not very good good at winning.
It suits the rest of the world the only people who want England to win are the English the vast majority of neutral fans will opt for the English opposition.

i'd say even Israel Russia and and North Korea would have most neutral support against England's football team.
Egypt Morocco Senegal and Nigeria have been more successful.
Your biased in your opinion and have no real substance to back it up.
When it comes to winning football tournaments England are minnows particularly since 1967 59 years .

{Ed025's Note - considering the size of our country Ken and the times we have been so close i can live with that, you are an English hater and i can live with that as well, we are still in the top 5 great football nations for me..but everyone to their own i suppose..

26 Jan 2026 12:30:03
So all the countries that have won more are not better🤣🤣 I see.

{Ed025's Note - no, we invented the bloody game Ken, and will probably win the world cup very soon...again.. :)

26 Jan 2026 12:45:04
Argentina and Brazil i'm sure your not going to argue you have been better than them in last 60 years.
So which of the following have you been better than in last 60 years to claim to be in top 5.
Spain?
Germany?
Italy?
France?
Portugal Holland Denmark Russia Czech Republic all won a tournament since englands last.
As have a host of African nations and South american.
Your sounding like president Donald.
Saying something enough times does not make it true or factual. Your opinion may be that England are a top 5 intl nation but the i'm Afraid for the last 60 years you have been in the international wilderness until southgate got you back competing again and even with his tactical nous he couldn't get you over the line against the better teams.


Simple question when was the last time England beat a significant footballing nation in a wc or ec finals? Every time they come up against one of the big boys they go home with their tail between their legs having been thought a lesson in winning.

{Ed025's Note - you cant count the African teams at this stage Ken...did you actually watch AFCON mate?...it was like non league standard, we are the team to beat in every world competition...and you wont convince me differently..

26 Jan 2026 14:43:02
The African teams are better now than the tosh that played in the 66 wc.
Big leave in emblems no doubt. Not been one by an English coach for over 35 years.
No team that's win the epl has been dominated by English players. The English are not very good at football but they do market it well.

{Ed025's Note - i dont think you like the English very much Ken, fact is we are one of the best footballing countries in the world, look at European competitions and world club championships...we win more than anyone, we even embrace our little Irish neighbours and give some of them a chance to play in the best footballing country on the planet...please show some gratitude mate.. :)

26 Jan 2026 18:02:20
I'm pretty certain Ken that some of Fergie's title winning teams were dominated by English players. I guess that depends on your definition of dominant. Definitely been a steady decline of English players, but that has been across the board since the early 2000s.

For clarity, I'm English, but can't stand the English national team or England and the UK for that matter. For me it could sink into the Atlantic and the world would be better off.

26 Jan 2026 19:16:40
Ed025 absolutely the epl is the best league in the world and the best marketed (you can only do that with a good product) that was not the debate. The debate was that the English team are minnows or very much in the lower echelons of national powerhouse's especially compared with their expectations. Zero wins in 60 years.
But not since the late 70s early 80s when the clubsides were dominated by English Irish Scottish and Welsh players back in a time when the game and World were less globalised epl teams are dominated by non english players more often than not. Remember the madness in late 70s when ossie and Ricky game from Argentina?
Since the 80s no English winning manager ( 91)
The best teams have much fewer players from the home nations.
England have had squads that could compete you would think but never got there. Why? Mentality is the answer imo. No even 1 wc final in 15 attempts 1 euro final there are 10 plus countries in Europe with better records in that time not to mention those from South America.


The English national team are not a powerhouse.
Funnily the 2 best managers since Ramsey were English and understood the English mentality better handled the players better and the media better in Robson and southgate. So I hope they do find the right manager I think England winning a wc would be good for the game in general. It might be a pain in the arse for the rest of the world for the next 60 years but i'd take that.
Id like England to win a wc again I've no hatred towards the English football team away.
Pointing out that you are not as good as most English people think they are is not hatred its just the way it is. i'm surprised that you sought to put that label on me and I think its unfair and not in keeping with our interactions with are always respectful.

{Ed025's Note - i have never had problems with our interactions Ken and still dont, but on this topic you come across as very Anti-English mate and im just sticking up for my nation, which im sure you would if it was Ireland being slaughtered mate..

26 Jan 2026 20:13:29
Ranked 4th in the world. Not bad for minnows.

26 Jan 2026 21:06:05
Where do they rank in winning things ports they are Minows in that regard.
Ed025 we should take a leaf from USA calling baseball the world series. Call the hurling the world hurling championship🤣 its one way of being a world champion team.

{Ed025's Note - good idea Ken.. :)

26 Jan 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - Klopps new glasses has posted a new article entitled, Slot's Liverpool Project Unravels Despite Early Promise

25 Jan 2026 22:48:55
Cunha and Mbeumo have been fantastic signings. Lammens is definitely my favourite signing from the summer. The difference he makes is huge.

25 Jan 2026 23:20:48
Maybe Dorgu might prove to be too now he’s played in his correct position by competent coaches.

Mbeumo has been immense, Lammens has steadied the ship at the ack without being spectacular but has handled the pressure superbly, and Cunha may well become one of my favourite players for us.

26 Jan 2026 09:27:49
It suggests that whilst we have had a tough time the current recruitment team are doing a good job. All of the recent recruits are having an impact and look like they will form the basis of our team over the next few years. Also, whilst we were playing a certain system that these players fitted into they are not so wedded to that and can play the current system which appears to have been key to the recruitment (flexibility)
Assuming these were predominently due to Vivell/Macauley/Wilcox it bodes well for the summer window.

26 Jan 2026 10:13:16
Ballon d'Orgu. Dorgie Best. 🤣.

25 Jan 2026 20:42:40
Gooner here in peace.
Qudos guys, congrats on a great win. Carrick has certainly got you firing on all cylinders.

It's going to be an interesting few months!

25 Jan 2026 22:27:26
Ty for being so gracious in defeat. I would prefer your team over City or Liverpool to win the title but do wonder if you have the mental strength to do so. Your saving grace may be the others are so inconsistent.

25 Jan 2026 23:15:39
Salford I would agree on preferring Arsenal based on how they've built up their club and that they're not Liverpool (! ) . But really and truly Arteta is so negative. Arsenal have so many good players. They're 17th in open play goals. They should be walking this league.

By far the best squad. But as much and all as I respect the posters from them that join here, I find them difficult to watch. I hope they open up a bit and start playing the football they are more than capable of as I think City will win the league otherwise.

25 Jan 2026 23:47:12
Thanks Sally. I too prefer Aesenal for title, hope this year you have the edge.

26 Jan 2026 00:19:00
As a Liverpool fan, if they don't have the mental strength to win the title over us this year, god help them.

26 Jan 2026 01:23:30
Kudos.

26 Jan 2026 03:47:29
Davey sills. are Liverpool even considered title contenders this season.

26 Jan 2026 03:53:48
If it's not us then I'll go for Villa. It would be great of the league if there was a champion outside the so called big 6.

26 Jan 2026 06:54:20
Thanks Sally
Before the game we knew there would be nerves in the Arsenal team, especially as the game progressed, so it proved. Looks like it transmits to the team from the crowd as well.
Far rather you win the title than City, but unless you get over the uncertainty and nerves in games you could miss out.

26 Jan 2026 08:18:35
Arteta woud frustrate out of me if I was a Gooner. He’s done a brilliant job to get them back to the level they should be at, and put together a fine squad. But he is so negative, and I have a niggling feeling he’s taken them as far as he can go. Let’s see - football often proves me very wrong!

26 Jan 2026 09:12:57
Arteta's style to how Arsenal are set up is quite similar to England under Southgate.

26 Jan 2026 19:14:38
Apologies for my typo (they are legendary! ) I meant kudos not qudos lol.

{Ed025's Note - its ok Sally we are not the English language police..

25 Jan 2026 19:44:46
Super performance again, great watching us now. Still can't understand how Arsenal keep getting away with just pushing every player in on top of the goal line at corners, they have been given goals in our last 3 visits to emirates. I was off my seat for our second and third goals, like the 90s again.

Great credit to Carrick and his staff, we said these players were under performing, but what a difference now. Confidence is high now hopefully we can keep this high level and workrate in our remaining games.

25 Jan 2026 20:47:33
Football is about balance. Keeping players behind the ball and more balance in midfield is what has made the difference. Bruno still gives the ball away, but he is less of a liability further forwards and his passes and play have more impact. The guy is one of the best 10s around, not one of the best 8s.

Last 2 games have been great. Perfect team selection. We played with a plan and executed perfectly. At arsenal the team really played well across the game. Weathered the early arsenal pressure and slowly took over the game. Players like McGuire, Dalot, Shaw, Martinez, casemiro, mainoo all performed exactly how we needed for the whole game. Martinez was exposed for the two fairly lucky goals for the gunners - but with the ball he was fantastic and really impacts our team. I remember a mainoo give away that put us on the back foot and had me cursing - but all game he and casemiro worked well together to shield the back four and launch our play forwards.

This was an eth team resurrected. The additions of lamens, dorgu, amad and mbueno made all the difference. Solid unit at the back and more assurity with the ball in the front line.

So now to the real challenge, Fulham and other teams lying in wait, will not be so naive to play high lines against us. We will be expected to have possession and create chances against a set defense. Can this team, this squad do enough to breakdown deep lying teams? Can casemiro, mainoo, McGuire and co press the play high and close the space without leaking goals on the break?

Very interesting week's ahead. Hope they can keep this run going.

25 Jan 2026 20:51:03
Incredible scenes. Brilliant performance, again.

Literally more progress in 2 games than the last 14 months under Amorim’s regime.

Let’s see how we handle Fulham up next.

It’d be travesty if Arsenal win the title playing that type of football.

25 Jan 2026 21:29:04
I think that's a bit unfair Eric and actually vastly off the mark in terms of progress. We would have won both games with or without Amorim IMO.
We have been making progress from the Eth days and the days before him and the days before that manager prior etc etc.

As the OP quite rightly states, how we handle the Fulham and Spurs and West ham games next is the real test for me, then we can see more progress.

We may even switch out a couple of players to allow us to play a more pressing game, i. e. bring heaven back in for instance.

25 Jan 2026 22:33:50
Jim,

You think we would have won both of those games under Amorim? We rarely won one game, we won 2 in a row once in 15 months. I liked Amorim but we would not have won both of those games under him, not in a million years. We lost against both teams earlier in the season under him.

25 Jan 2026 23:01:21
Alright jimbo 😂

We would have not won those with Amorim. What we are seeing is a completely different team.

25 Jan 2026 23:17:21
Utter nonsense Jim.

No way Amorim is bringing on Sesko and Cunha looking to win that game. His record was appalling, and players regressed under him.

Glad he’s gone. Terrible manager for us.

25 Jan 2026 23:18:17
Ah give it up GDS. Can you not just see that we clearly had improved under Amorim and were very well coached. You can equally then say that Carrick seems to be a better motivator and seems to make better lineup and substitution decisions. You can credit Carrick without tearing down Amorim.

26 Jan 2026 00:18:48
That’s a cracker Jimbob.

We may have beaten a weakened City but I very much doubt the Amorim team selection and/or formation would beat Arsenal.

26 Jan 2026 00:59:35
Yes I think we would have won both games under Amorim.
I also believed we would win them both under Carrick, and backed him to the hilt at the bookies too.
My point is we had been making progress, irrespective of the manager, to the point I felt we would have won both games.
So to that end, yes, we probably are. looking at different games, as I had seen the progress during the latter months of Amorim tenure.


Maybe that progress is being accelerated now that we are aying a formation suited to the cattle. Will the club continue the trend towards a 3 at the back approach as they churn through the crap we still have on our books, who knows, that's outside of our hands.

26 Jan 2026 03:16:22
we lose both games under amorim in my opinion. he would select a different team, different formation and players being asked to play in positions that does not suit them. Its a bit rich to make that statement when we were second best against 10 man Everton, westham, wolves etc etc and just so so poor to watch game after game with the occasional decent performance. I liked the man but the pl is a step too far too soon for him. got tired of listening to him telling the world how the players were no good.

We are not too far and a good summer window will make this team very good. Kudos to Shaw and whatever the club did to get him back from his injury, he is just an excellent footballer in all aspects of the game.

26 Jan 2026 03:51:11
Keefy we very nearly and probably should have beaten arsenal early in the season, under Amorim.
I really don't know why people cannot give credit where it is due to a manager who ripped the bad blood out of our terrible squad.


What we are seeing now is the fruits of his mental strength to stop the rot.
More work needed. Is Carrick the man, maybe his motivational skills are enough to get him through to the main gig.

26 Jan 2026 07:20:01
Donred, his record speaks volumes as manager, it was shocking.

Jimbo it was not progress, we failed to beat 6 of the 7 teams in the bottom positions during the months leading to his sacking.

He is gone now, and the team already look like a weight has lifted.

The next 5 games are really winnable and we could find ourselves in an incredible position after this run. I'm extremely optimistic.

26 Jan 2026 08:23:03
Angel you are utterly simplistic. Your way of viewing things is so myopic. I can't engage with any more on this as you are determined to rewrite history and continue in this ridiculous binary view. You need to grow up fella.

26 Jan 2026 09:33:08
Don, Jim, you will not change the mind of Mr 32%, but you have read him correctly, I think. Unfortunately, some feel the need for instant gratification, so they fail to see progress and that a complete rebuild takes time. God help Carrick if it all falls apart because the wolves will be circling very quickly.

26 Jan 2026 15:35:20
Don,

Are you the one that wrote the bit on xG and tried to school everyone who disagreed? Yet won’t just look at facts, we won 2 in a row once in the whole time he was here, we would not have beaten City and Arsenal with him as manager, it’s as simple as that, nobody is bashing him, it’s just facts. your reaction to this is crazy.

26 Jan 2026 18:21:47
Guys, our squad was littered with oxygen thieves. A lot have since departed, more to go. That was down to Amorim, that is a fact, he did not suffer fools and it was a refreshing change. But he was too stubborn and rigid, I accept that. But to say we did not make progress is idiotic.
Yu can say what you want about the results, and football is a results driven business, he got the boot because he called out the management team, and he was right to do that, Wilcox is a fraud.


He would still be manager if he hadn't had his outburst, that is a fact.
I think he would have won both games, others don't, neither of us know and to state it as a fact is being stupid.
I for one hope that Carrick win the next 15 games, I have stated from the start of the season that we will win the league and believe we are still in with a shout.

{Ed025's Note - say no to drugs..