That is an example I would use to argue my case. We finished his first season out of the CL places, barely improved on the league position he inherited despite over half a season to improve things. Yet you retained faith. Why? Yes you could see an exciting style of play developing. But Klopp was also absolutely clear about his vision and his expectations. Everything you saw on the pitch aligned with what he was telling us. When we played poorly he didn’t try to sell us a shit sandwich and pretend it was actually fine, he acknowledged it reiterating what the expectations were.
Questions about Slot this year arose before the results hit an alarming slide precisely because of the confusion that was generated from a series of public comments. I get the argument that ultimately what happened was too bad that it could not have been fixed by simply being better in his public appearances. But my point is the two are intertwined…you cannot get the team being laser focused on meeting higher standards and doing what you expect of them if you are not clearly communicating what that is.
It’s also the fact that Klopp was taking a club in a far worse position and moving it on an upwards trajectory, while Slot inherited a great side, won a title, and then had an alarming, year-long slump in form that he did not meaningfully arrest.
Plenty seem excited at the prospect of Iraola. I’m being very cautious to be honest.
Firstly, I’ve got some catching up to do and secondly this feels as if it carries more risk than we have in a while. Slot was sold to us on continuity, this one is what exactly? Heavy metal again?
Oddly 4 out of the last 5 seasons Arsenal have won the title, we’ve replaced our manager. The only anomally was 2001-02 and Houllier had that heart situation that meant Phil Thompson took over for a long period.
Always liked the look of Evanilson, his workrate reminds me of Bobby, but just doesn’t score enough, but neither did Bobby who was the perfect foil/facilitator for Mo and Sadio.
I don’t think it is actually that opposed, consider this part of the Iraola quote " It is from that structure that they feel free and can make their own decisions." As a player, Thiago was a remarkable expression of exactly that, within the right structure he could be incredibly creative and yet a controlling metronome.
