We’re tracking well under 1.5 points per game on the PL, which will not be enough for Champions League football next season, even given the general shitness of the league. We have no real idea what FSG will consider sack worthy, but we do know they tend to be patient and usually want a substantial body of evidence before making a decision. More than most owners. I had hoped that, given the level of summer spending, any serious risk to Champions League qualification might prompt a decisive change. So far, that has not happened. Either they believe that, in the context of a huge intake of signings, ageing core players, the death of Jota and other mitigating factors, one transitional season is acceptable, or they genuinely think there is enough evidence to suggest improvement in the second half of the season.
So where does that improvement come from? If Ekitike and Wirtz stay fit and continue on an upward trajectory, that should add goals. Isak’s return might help to some extent, but I am personally unconvinced he has it in him to make a meaningful impact this year. Beyond that, we are probably relying on Salah improving his output in terms of goals and assists, even if the performances remain poor. That would still be an upgrade on what we have seen so far. Some of that may well happen. However, even if it does, I would argue it will all be undone by Slot’s management of the squad. We are heading towards January with most of the first team knackered, an increasingly heavy injury list, and a continued reluctance to rotate. How are these players meant to be fresh when we hit the decisive part of the season, when results really start to matter?
That is where the difference shows between managers who think about the big picture and those operating in a constant state of insecure self preservation.
Another point is we see we are routinely seeing that a good win the CL means absolutely fuck all to our performances in the PL. It makes us feel a little better in the short term, and brings in welcome revenue, but we should see them as almost different sports at this point. One is having no bearing on the other.
