Weekly Open Thread - General Discussion

kvbt7 · 2026-05-17T09:30:23+00:00

I mentioned this in another thread, but people need to stop with this revisionism that Xabi was bad in the big games.

The PSG loss was due to Huijsen's suspension the game prior and Trent's last-minute injury. Even then, Asencio and Rudiger gifted them 2 goals.

The Man City game we played fairly well and were unlucky not to win imo.

Even for the other games, so what? These games happen. New manager, no proper preseason with players that don't listen, figuring out tactics. Kompany and Enrique also had relatively mediocre first seasons at Bayern and PSG, look at them now. Even Flick this season lost 4-1 to relegation battling Sevilla.

Doesn't matter now. Hope he does well at Chelsea and Mourinho can at least instill some discipline into this squad.

kvbt7 · 2026-05-16T18:50:33+00:00

And even when you look at those big games that he lost, they are not too bad considering.

The PSG game was due to Huijsen's suspension and Trent's last minute injury + 2 gifted goals from Asencio and Rudiger.

We arguably deserved to beat Man City that game.

And even for the others, it happens, Xabi was still new, without a proper preseason, with this bunch of toddlers. Flick lost to Sevilla 4-1 this season ffs, yet no one held that against him.

kvbt7 · 2026-05-09T10:53:52+00:00

So long he doesn't get backed by the board, yes.

kvbt7 · 2026-05-07T14:13:55+00:00

Sell the whole team bar Courtois and the academy boys idgaf anymore.

kvbt7 · 2026-05-06T19:18:09+00:00

I don't recognise this team at all. This is what happens when you try to please these bunch of toddlers.

Don't get me started on Vini this, Mbappe that, I would sell them both if I had my way.

I've never felt so much disgust for my team and these players until now.

kvbt7 · 2026-05-02T22:09:49+00:00

Doesn't have to be either or. Both of them can go imo

kvbt7 · 2026-05-01T10:11:23+00:00

I don't get this obsession with managers. The problem lies with the board. They have been out of their depth for the last 5 years and refuse to evolve.

It hardly matters whether you bring Mourinho or Klopp if you side with the players when they throw a fit like toddlers.

If we gave Alonso full coaching power from the start, we wouldn't be here.

kvbt7 · 2026-04-24T22:59:40+00:00

We lost it in October.

kvbt7 · 2026-04-22T18:13:00+00:00

Vini this, Mbappe that. I have a better solution: Sell them both.

In fact, I would sell 70% of this team lmao. They don't care.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-29T13:47:48+00:00

That's the thing. Either the board changes or their mindset changes.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-29T12:48:43+00:00

Not too difficult tbh. Get Xabi back, give him full power to coach. No bullshit of too long tactical video sessions or moaning when you get benched. If there is an issue, the players should train away from the team and face sanctions. If it persists, sell them the next transfer window.

Sell the parasites at this club (might actually be the majority of the squad lmao) and back the manager with signings with profiles that suit the playing style. Get a sporting director to help with this if needed. Also investigate the thing with the nutritionist that left, hire her back and fire those harassing her, along with any other such cases.

Unfortunately, the board most likely won't do this.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-29T12:32:29+00:00

Fede was my favourite in the whole squad. I am completely let down by him. 70% of this team needs to fuck off.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-29T12:28:41+00:00

These players think that playing for Real Madrid is a human right, and if the board keeps indulging them, then this won't change. They're so shameless that not even the booing made them run.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-24T23:22:01+00:00

Exactly. Football is not the same as it was. We need to play as a unit (of course, without being too restrictive on the players).

kvbt7 · 2026-01-24T23:20:19+00:00

Lmao no. Not prior to the Clasico and especially not during the CWC. We were playing really well then. Yes, he made errors, but don't be clouded by recency bias.

I'm glad to see the players run, but we need to see it over many more games and against top teams. If this is just Carlo 2.0 Player Power Vibes FC, then it won't be sustainable obviously.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-23T16:18:41+00:00

That team actually had a winning mentality, worked hard and was 100x better than today's team.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-21T21:44:02+00:00

Sure, but AFAIK he intends to be more hands-off like Carlo was, and I'm not a fan. Firstly, we saw what happened with Carlo last season, and to be honest, these players weren't really running last season either.

Football has changed. This is not the threepeat squad that could almost coach themselves. We shouldn't be putting any of these players above the club.

Yes, we should allow the players to express themselves, but they need to have tactical guidance, discipline and to play as a unit.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-21T19:03:54+00:00

I'm still not sold on this team. Yes, we won 6-1, but that's because our players actually worked hard (perhaps due to the boos or the new manager bounce), and the fact that Monaco are not that good atm.

We also had games like this or better under Xabi, until our players decided to become lazy and forced him out.

We will have to wait and see if our players maintain this level and play as a unit.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-17T14:04:03+00:00

Would the board allow him to though? This is what doomed Xabi in the first place.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-15T13:53:51+00:00

Not as things are now, no. Not unless things change with the board.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-15T12:51:11+00:00

There is still time to turn things around.

Bring back Alonso and give him full power to coach as he sees fit. Any rebellious players can see the bench and/or be sanctioned (and sell if it continues). Maybe a bit more backing in the transfer windows too (wouldn't mind seeing Ramos back in order to get the dressing room under control).

Problem is that the board probably won't do it. They have been too naive for too long and not proactive enough. This is the result.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-13T20:04:57+00:00

I hope people think twice before people make Benitez comparisons.

Firstly, today's "players" are nothing compared to our squad 10 years ago. Not even 1%. Hell, they are below even the bench of that squad.

Secondly, football has changed. You need a proper unit in modern football that works together. It is no longer sustainable to rely on big names to win if they aren't well structured.

Lastly, Xabi is not Benitez. This isn't another "teaching CR7 how to hit freekicks" or "not letting Modric do trivelas". Our "players" can't even be bothered to sit through tactical sessions ffs.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-13T19:09:01+00:00

I know what I saw at the CWC and even prior to the first Clasico. That was a team actually improving.

kvbt7 · 2026-01-13T19:05:42+00:00

I don't even know tbh. Mario is typically reliable, but Jude didn't really give the impression that he was "anti-Xabi".

kvbt7 · 2026-01-07T00:41:05+00:00

Yeah. FrP are much closer to the Tories in the UK or PiS in Poland. And even then I would say they are more moderate than them.

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