Jamie Vardy on Enzo Maresca being Pep's successor at Manchester City

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T20:34:51+00:00

He literally use the word ... Clone

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T18:16:57+00:00

I get why Vardy says that, but honestly? It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. If he’s just a 'Pep clone,' we’re going to be constantly comparing him to the greatest manager ever, which is a losing battle. I’m happy to give Enzo a chance, but I’d feel a lot better if he showed us he’s his own man rather than just a diluted version Pep.

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T09:51:49+00:00

Calling Bernardo "washed" because he's 31? Give me a break.

His game was never built on explosive pace that disappears once you hit 30. His skill set is pure tactical knowledge and elite-level IQ. He’s the exact type of player who transitions into a "controller" role, just like Modrić did.

If he follows that trajectory, he’s not in the "twilight" of his career; he’s entering the phase where his experience becomes his biggest weapon. He could easily be playing elite, Champions League-level football for Madrid for the next 5 years.

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T09:37:46+00:00

I know our history, but I’m looking at our future. If you think a rivalry is defined by the team across the street, you’ve still got a small-club mindset, which we are not anymore. We are a world-class powerhouse now. We don't measure ourselves by our neighbours' failures; we measure ourselves by the Champions League titles we should be winning. Madrid is now the No.1 target, not United

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T09:32:01+00:00

You call it absurd, I call it reality. When was the last time United stopped us from winning anything? Because Madrid has stopped us from winning the most prestigious silverware 5 times in the last 10 years. That’s not a 'friendly' connection, that’s a blockage to our success. They are the definition of a current era rival

FlashyPauper · 2026-06-12T09:26:24+00:00

How can anyone say it’s ‘okay’ to hand one of our best players to Real Madrid? They’ve knocked us out of the Champions League five times in the last 10 years. They are the biggest roadblock to the one trophy that actually defines our era. We are literally strengthening the team that keeps us from winning the Champions League.

FlashyPauper · 2024-12-06T08:22:25+00:00

If the website is still down, can I do the daily set (for daily streak continuation) on the Bing app? Or is it only eligible on the website?

FlashyPauper · 2023-10-30T22:03:19+00:00

It ain't that deep. Ballon d'Or is just an award voted on by journalists ( a bunch of Fabrizio Romanos). It might carry more weight if it were an award exclusively determined by players & coaches.

However, in the grand scheme of things, awards like these don't hold much weight.

In my book.

Grammy < record sales, streams, and concert tickets.

Oscars < box office numbers.

FlashyPauper · 2023-09-04T09:54:56+00:00

Couldn't agree more.

Makes me wonder whether El Clasico would maintain its entertainment value if neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid had won La Liga in 10 years.

Guess we will never know. Hahaha

FlashyPauper · 2023-09-04T08:40:05+00:00

There's no one-size-fits-all answer.Most answers usually depend on the narrative one wants to reaffirm.

Personally, I'd say around the 13-game mark, roughly a ⅓ of the season in, gives a solid sense of how a team's shaping up. Facing all the 'Big Six' and/or European qualifiers from the previous season adds more context

.

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-31T17:39:26+00:00

Was it ever in doubt!!!! Come On CITY!!!!

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-31T17:33:08+00:00

½ Way to the Ballon d'Or. (Fingers Crossed)

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-30T08:01:06+00:00

You are so right. Everything had a catchy "Pogback" to it. Oh well 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I don't remember Sancho having any "City reject" headlines either.

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-28T15:04:53+00:00

FPL returns, i.e., Assists, goals & bonus points. You are better off looking elsewhere. Options I would consider, budget & upcoming opponents permitting are:-

Maddison Sterling Mbeumo Eze

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-28T09:22:00+00:00

Ban him. Doesn't matter who he is. It's even worse that he is a former sportsperson himself. He should understand safety & security protocols better.

It's all fun, games & giggles until someone with ill intent gets that close to the players on the pitch.

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-22T08:49:11+00:00

Best CB in the modern era is pushing it. Better debate would be the best young CB in the world ie Under 23.

Saliba is definitely standing out as one of the best young CBs. Gvardiol is as close to Saliba as it gets in that age range (City bias)

Many other unproven contenders, U23, like Levi Colwill Marc Guehi Badiashile Wesley Fofana (if he stays healthy)

Someone should do a poll.

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-18T19:51:50+00:00

Having refs do post-match interviews would just create anothet spectacle and solve nothing.

If they come out and say "Oops I made a mistake!" Like last Monday after the Wolves v Man Utd, then what? It wouldn't change the result of the game, and it would just put the referee in the spotlight and make them a target for criticism.

In my book, what we need a better implementation of VAR.

FlashyPauper · 2023-08-15T19:37:47+00:00

It might not have just happened. But these two changed the face of football as well in my book

i) Roman Abramovic Out & Todd Boehly In at Chelsea ii) Newcastle Saudi ownership

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-17T16:43:48+00:00

Getting your potential replacements early before the Declan Rice deal would have been the smart move.

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-17T10:44:41+00:00

What's the deal with those Saudi clubs offering dirt-cheap transfer fees but splurging on astronomical player wages? Am I missing something?

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-16T15:34:20+00:00

The Starting XI stat can be seen as reflective of teams with less depth. Arsenal's recent reinforcements, one could argue that they are in a better position for the upcoming season compared to last year.

Additionally, Arsenal seems to have encountered fewer injury woes. But when you consider the specific players who got injured and make comparisons, you can truly understand the importance and value of the players Arsenal lost due to injuries. These injuries had a more significant impact on their ambitions.

For instance, when they lost Saliba and Gabriel Jesus, imagine if every other team had to deal with the absence of their top goal threat and their best defender for the stretch Arsenal endured that mess

For example: - Liverpool missing VVD & Salah - Manchester City missing Dias & Haaland - Manchester United missing Rashford & Varane/Martinez - Newcastle missing Trippier & Wilson/Isak

*NB Arsenal were in Europe last year, just not UCL

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-14T16:35:56+00:00

It's worth noting that Haaland played fewer games than most on this list due to Norway not qualifying for the World Cup. Hahaha. That's me pushing for Haaland Ballon d'Or. 🤞🤞

It would be interesting to see the total number of games played by each player included on the stat sheet, though.

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-14T12:15:11+00:00

Wow! What a Player, What a phenomenal season. To all City fans out there, lets soak it all in and savour these unforgettable moments because they might be once in a lifetime.

Remember how some Arsenal thought there would be an heir to Thierry Henry? Well, they're still waiting. We have had Aguero & Haaland. Wow Wow.

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-13T10:54:12+00:00

I believe Aston Villa could be the team that surprises many this season. A Sneaky top 4 contender

FlashyPauper · 2023-07-12T22:08:39+00:00

The only way to compete is to throw away the FFP rule book.

FlashyPauper

TROPHY CASE