[Mikus LFC]

I think Benitez had an opportunity to sign him for us before he came to Europe for around £18 mill but think he felt he couldn’t risk that fee on such a player. Never quite got over that.

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[Mikus LFC]

Possibly Ed, but I think Trent has been in mixed form. Also, I still sense that there is a feeling that defensively some feel there’s a question mark over him, even though he has improved here. Maybe because of such things, Southgate simply felt they’d be less of a backlash. But, we shall see. If the tide really is turning here, and players are picked based on the effectiveness and balance they bring rather than individual qualities, I’ll be delighted. But the media also has to start easing back here.

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[Mikus LFC]

I think we’re in a transitional period Ed, so perhaps not. I don’t want to take away any of the positivity about the young players coming through – I just fear history repeating itself. If, hypothetically, we had another Gerrard – Lampard situation come about – would the manager have the guts to drop one of them for the benefit of the balance of the overall team? I’m really not sure.

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[Mikus LFC]

I think they’re still a youngish side though Ed, but the culture is very much there to build some of them up and eventually deem several of them un-droppable. It may seem a small point, but I watched some of the aftermath media reaction after the San Marino game, particularly regarding Ollie Watkins. Now I’m not for a minute decrying him for being personally happy to score for England and making progress, but the way the pundits on TV kept saying how wonderful it was for him and how he’ll now basically be ‘buzzing’ – I just felt like shouting stop! Already they’re starting to build him up and turn the focus on to him. What if he now has a few so-so games in the future after previously being built up? How will that affect his confidence? I might be wrong, but I just don’t think they do this as much in other countries where the focus is more on the overall team than individuals. We’ve got to stop this, particularly the media.

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[Mikus LFC]

I find it increasingly harder to take interest in England which saddens me as it should be more for the purists in terms of players truly playing for the shirt. But I think as Didi Hamann wrote in his book some time ago – the problem with England is cultural. We continue to love putting players on pedestals which filters through to the players and inevitably builds their own egos and expectations. And then pressure builds to make such players un-droppable. The golden generation may now be long gone, but I just don’t see enough of a change in this individualistic culture (exacerbated by club rivalry). So a change in the manager cannot really change this. I don’t know what will.

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[Mikus LFC]

Jose is probably worried about the fixture congestion and keeping key attackers fit. He also probably has one eye on the league cup final next month.

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[Mikus LFC]

I think the fixture congestion is only adding to the inconsistency of many of these teams.

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[Mikus LFC]

There’s a German doing a fine job at Chelsea.

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[Mikus LFC]

The team just looks completely shot. Ten games still to go. What now?

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[Mikus LFC]

Not for a minute that I’m suggesting it yet, but I don’t think a change of manager would make any major difference. The team just needs the end of the season to come now so it can reset. Best we can hope for now is Jota to start banging in a few goals in, lift general confidence a bit, and then limp to the end of the season.

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[Mikus LFC]

Fulham deserve that. Playing with so much freedom and playing some very nice stuff. It just looks half hearted from us.

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[Mikus LFC]

Looks like another 433. Sweeping changes. Firmino & Mane dropped. Milner & Keita into midfield.

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[Mikus LFC]

If you have a relatively small group of first team players over several seasons, they are eventually going to feel untouchable. Even last season, there were times the front 3 were inconsistent, but they were still the first names on the team sheet and they knew it.

Players like Jota were signed too late. He and at least another attacker should have been signed over recent seasons and gradually introduced. I know the counter argument to this was that it may have upset team harmony and it would have been difficult to find someone willing to come to sit on the bench. But Jota was very happy to come potentially knowing that. Our stock couldn’t have been higher, we could have attracted many players to come. But it was ok because we had our “mentality monsters”. And therein lies a big part of the problem. The club got too carried away with itself and took their eye off the ball in terms of the longer term.

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[Mikus LFC]

I think because the front 3 have stayed fit, Klopp has kept the same system in place, hoping we’ll still be able to to get something out of games. But bar Salah, they are woefully out of form, as are many other players. But he should have been looking at other options by now.

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[Mikus LFC]

Draw I think the best we can hope for Lucky. And probably need Jota on if we’re to get that.

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[Mikus LFC]

Painful this. Like watching superman after losing his powers.

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[Mikus LFC]

Got away with one there (another ridiculous decision). A simple ball over the top can undo us.

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[Mikus LFC]

Pep just needs to play more his normal game in Europe rather than overthinking the games which I think he can be guilty of.

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[Mikus LFC]

And all those teams are bang average. Watching the “race” for top 4 is going to be like watching a load of children tripping up over each other playing musical chairs, a bit like last season.

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[Mikus LFC]

“My worst nightmare is that Southgate wins the Euros”

More chance of hell freezing over Ed…

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