I blame poor fitness and our ready-ness. Fair result, Newcastle might regret it more not to win it.

I don't blame the manager, he probably not conducting proper training session in the past week, but we failed to dominate midfield area against mediocre players like Shelvey and Joelinton, not given chance to VDB are mind boggling.

Buy a CDM please, if he truly Top Class coach and admired by thousands, there must be some young starlet willing to push a transfer to play under him.

No Bruno, no Pogba surely VDB got his chance 🙄

RR needs his type of players to make it work. But considering his tenure only for 6 months, 1 low key signing probably the best we can hope for. Re train the younger players like Elanga and Amad. This can't happen in weeks.

I always have a cautious optimism. Despite the glowing reviews, RR never mount a serious challenge for CL or big league title. Always in restructuring a new club, hunting promotions, producing a starlets etc.

So we can expect inconsistency, experimental line up, etc.

We are just lack of fitness to play RR game, add that MATIC. Even we are in good control, we just can do it in 90 minutes. We had good early 15 minutes, but everything gone downhill especially after the 2nd goal.

I think we are improving in term of tactic, we got more control of the game. But this type of tactic will not win you a game with more 1 goal margin. The most reliable defender is Varane, but he too made some mistakes since he comeback.

Any decent DM will improve us now. Just loan out or sell players who do not on RR plan or want to be out.

It's all about finishing. Brentford didn't take their chances. We did.

Brentford are much better at pressing. Fred simply can't live with it, back to his terrible passing game. De Gea saved our as* in the first half.

In the 2nd half, the Elanga's goal changed much the game. The opponents opened more spaces and our counter attack destroyed them.

Looking for a better game on Saturday.

During Aston Villa, game DDG and CBs keep hoofing the ball upfront probably because they don't trust Matic and Mactominay to exchange passes.

Last night they tried passing around in 1st half but MacFred done very badly. Our midfield is so shite and Rangnik didn't trust DVDB. So far, Rangnik only play DVDB as an alternative to Fernandes.

This post has been edited by BartoCastro: Jan 20 2022, 12:44 PM

I don't mind our English core defenders, I still think they're a very good players. I'll put Shaw and Bissaka when we are in defensive mode. I don't trust Telles and Dalot in defensive part. Shaw can be great option for LCB if we switch to 3 men CBs. Maguire still better in defending high balls and crossing compare to Lindelof.

But gladly receive a decent offer for them. They come with huge price tag and earning massive salary. Pretty sure half of PL teams will gladly lowballing us to get them.

We need a specialist CDM, period. That will be tremendously improve our defence.

The captain is okay, no complaint for this game. Good defensive shape. We are in control without really threatening.

Rice was immense, he'll turn us to proper team. I'm not hoping for him to come in, but proper CDM will turn that team into solid Top 4 team.

Fernandes place isn't guaranteed under Rangnik, perhaps he can alternate it with Pogba since Lingard and DVDB will go out.

Pogba will want to prove himself to get a better offer from Real.

New CDM is a must, dare to say we got no chance for Top 4 if we rely on MacFred + Matic. Kamara probably our likeliest and realistic target. Young and relatively cheap.

It's a trend in the last few games now. we started very brightly, control the first 20 minutes, created numerous of great chances, but converted to one goal.

In the 2nd half, the opponents started to grasp our game, things got balance, our players tiring and opponents scored in counter attack or through our defensive mistakes.

Positive thing, our defence are getting a bit better and our midfield seem capable to control the vast majority of the games, but conversion rate are poor.

It is quite opposite to Ole's days which our conversion rate were higher, midfield often over run by average sides, and defence were unreliable.

Pogba and Fernandes can be great midfield trio with a very good CDM. RR only have Fred, Mactominay and Matic to alternate. I believe this department are getting better in term if winning the midfield battle since Pogba's return, without really excelling it.

Of course, it's only Boro and Burnley. But the numbers of chances created seem improving.

A dogfight for #4.

We are clueless in the 1st half, like a bunch of players playing with each other for the first time. Atletico were very compact, always 5 at the back, and their midfielders not shy to commit a fouls. I don't recall any of our movement in side their penalty box. Just string of stray crosses between 2 flanks. A giant 7 feet striker can't get any one of those.

The 2nd half were much better for us. Few nice exchanges between attacking players but without any meaningful attempt, except the goal. Good substitution again by Rangnik.

Good result indeed, more than we deserved. Atletico the better team. The away goal rule do not apply anymore. So expect Atletico will playing counter attacking, defend deep, with the fast front 3.

The likes of Burnley will give us a lot of problems when they play deep and counter attacking football, let alone Atletico, Simeone is a master of it.

Ten Hag: I expect 3 years of experimental, chop changing, and developing years. 1 cup and yearly CL in those 3 years.

Pochentino: I expect moderate success in the 1st year (Top 4), real success in the 2nd and 3rd year.

I wouldn't mind Poch over Ten Hag, but my expectation will be higher.

Poch will be PL ready while Ten Hag will need a bit of time.

I guess the board need to provide more money for Poch while Ten Had will require more patience.