Absolutely, a literal miracle we're still in Europe. 2nd half what chances did we actually create?? I don't remember a single clear cut chance. Frankfurt is a good team but no way we don't even create a single chance to score. But the way we've been playing I wouldn't have faith we go far in EL. In fact I might be heated in saying this but 4th place today would probably have been better, because at least we'd only have 1 game a week and we could try and fight for 2nd, because this squad cannot compete in multiple competitions. In a short time I've lost complete faith in Amorim. He said just now that the team did everything to win. I'm sorry that's completely false, 2nd half Frankfurt completely dominated and congrats to them. BS PK or not we have no fight, no reaction. The squad has no depth, the drop off in quality from the first XI to the bench is immense. The subs did nothing but make the team worse. Essugo is 17 and will be a good player but not right now. Where is Sotiris? One bad game in Varzim and he's banished? But Esgaio gets 1000 chances? Trincao for Edwards made no sense, he did absolutely nothing but give the ball away, fails passes, and injuries to Ugarte and Nuno Santos also weren't correctly changed. Finally, we have NO PLAN B, we need 1 goal and we still can't make the change from 3 at the back to 2? Coates up front is our back up plan? He might stay because we're in EL but if we had finished 4th, and with nothing else to save the season (league gone, cup gone and nobody cares about League Cup), I thought Amorim might actually step down. Still might happen.
Dude is utter trash and will never be a top tier manager. Thanks for the title but it's time to go. Do the right thing and step down.
Sad because I thought he could be capable of change but he changes literally nothing. Managers are supposed to evolve
Which is ********ing weird to me, man. A manager at his age, you’d think would be willing to try new things vs a manager who’s got 30 years and ‘set in his ways’
Ha! Pretty well the same trajectory. Should’ve won the title his first year here. Admittedly I really liked him at first too, thought we played exciting soccer that translated to results on the field. But then yeah, all down hill from there. JJ was at least a money interview lol
Heads up guys, @natenate101 is closing threads here and all of the sudden deciding to do moderate the forums but only part time, allowing other members to actively cheer for players getting hurt, etc. Just an FYI.
I don’t read every single post here, but if there is a reported post I look at it. Plus I’m not the only mod covering this board. If you have a problem with a post, report it. You have before. I closed a thread opened about Amorim because Z opened yet another about who the next manager should be. Seemed redundant.
Let me add, I did a search of your posts to see what you were talking about with regards to “members actively rooting for players getting hurt”. That post from the Porto supporter is in a thread on the Portugal board, I’m only a mod of the Sporting board and don’t subscribe to your Cagao thread. I wouldn’t see that post unless someone reported it. So far, no report. Can’t see it all dude.
After sleeping it off, I feel Amorim's last chance to try and right the ship and show that he can evolve as a manager is during this World Cup break. Only a few of our players are going (Ugarte, Coates, Fatawu certainly, but none of the Portuguese players are going). We have way too many injuries, somebody needs to explain this. Is it poor preparation by the physios? Poor pre-season preparation? Take the time to properly recover the players, and try and work out a plan B. During the summer the papers said he was working on an alternate 4-2-3-1 plan but we have seen none of it. We have 2 more games before the break, at home to Guimaraes who are ahead of us, and away at Famalicao. Try to get 6 points and then use the break to recover the confidence and make yourself a better coach. During the world cup, there will be the 3 league cup group games, it's a perfect opportunity to test something new with most of the squad available.
The health issues on defense especially have caused huge problems, as the backups at RB/CB are just not good enough. St Juste has been a terrible signing so far and has clearly hampered the plans Amorim and co had for this season. He was the big signing and hasn’t made any impact at all. Porto is too important of a player for this club to be off the pitch as much as he is. Got to find a way to keep him healthy. Going to be tough to keep the players motivated when there isn’t much to play for. But have to try and secure CL for next season obviously. Have to find a way, or I’m sure the finances will get bad quickly,
Benfica and Porto with much tougher groups and they finish 1st. They have debts especially Porto but aren't afraid to invest. Where's all the money we made? And we end up with a worse and less deep squad than before.
I was rooting for Sporting. I had the rosary in my hand during the latter stages of the game. God is my witness. The rosary works for Benfica but it doesn't work for Sporting for some reason. Portugal could have made history, but Sporting's loss was probably amongst the darkest days in Portuguese footballing history. I almost puked after the game and i am not even a Sportinguista. I think someone needs to be sacked. It's hard to sack Amorim since he is the best thing to happen to Sporting this century.
It's not ALL Amorim but a lot of it is down to stubbornness and unwilling to evolve. He will not be sacked because this was Varandas jackpot and the only reason why he won re-election, if he leaves it will likely be at the end of the season on his own. And I'm afraid at this administration's capability to find a good coach again. We also need to reflect on the failed planning which Amorim himself confirmed in a press conference not long ago. In late June early July, everyone was praising us for once again getting our transfers done early. And then everyone including the coach was blindsided with the Matheus sale late on. Amorim himself admitted his frustration. There's rumours going around that we were looking for more players including several options for striker and Jorge Mendes was heavily involved, but Amorim shot down Mendes' clients, and as sort of a revenge against Amorim, Mendes sweet talked Matheus Nunes (who didnt initially want to go) into going to Wolves. It's just a rumour but it does fit the narrative. Which is why I hope Wolves get relegated.
I think way too many Sporting fans absolve Amorim of taking near full responsibility for this failed season. I completely agree that Varandas is an incompetent moron, and he is absolutely the one who blindsided Amorim with the Nunes transfer, but I have zero doubts that the reason Amorim came here was because he was paid handsomely and because there was an agreement that he would have significant power and influence in who they sign. I also think he was the one who signed off on the Pahlinha sale, which absolutely screwed this team as well. Let's face it: Ugarte is not on the same level as Pahlinha. Now, let's look at the transfers that Amorim absolutely insisted the club make and had complete power in making: Paulinho (€17M). This was definitely a must-have for Amorim. Thousands of other strikers across the world and Amorim insisted we overpay for this gargantuan flop. Esgaio (€5M). No doubt this was Amorim's choice as a back-up for Porro, completely ignoring how atrocious this sack of shit was for SCP the first time around. Vinagre (€10M). Not 100% sure this was Amorim's choice but it definitely seems like it. Trincao (obligation to buy for €10M and a €3.30M loan fee) no doubt this was another must-have for Amorim, who only ever seems to overpay for Braga rejects. This dude has been trash. Was trash at Barcelona and even Wolverhampton wanted nothing to do with him. But Amorim overvalued this garbage player like he's done everyone else. Again, the main issue here is Amorim. He coaches the team, he has all the power in who we buy, and he is the one who is completely unwilling to adjust tactically. Just an awful one-dimensional coach.
Also, if this team and it's fans think that Matheus Nunes was going to make or break this season, then they're delusional as fuck. There are holes everywhere because our "world-class" coach refuses to sign a striker it have anybody challenge Paulinho for a spot on the team (see Islam Slimani), and decided to spend all our money on mediocre, overpaid wingers.
He's getting too far into JJ's 'invencoes' territory, such as the game last weekend where he upended the Starting XI. You have Roger Schmidt literally playing virtually the same Starting XI the whole season, for a reason. Because that's how you generate chemistry among players. I'd actually say he doesn't need to evolve so much - instead he should realize he was already a great coach and it's in keeping things simple that got him success. He's trying too hard to be inventive and creative and it's when he wasn't trying too hard that he was doing great things.
Also, why did Trincao start on the bench vs. Frankfurt? Doesn't make any sense. This is the toughest competition and you're going to keep a player with 2 of your goals in the competition on the bench? A player more used to high-pressure games than almost any other player on the team, given his time at Barcelona... on the bench? JJ would be proud.
Trincao just isn't a guy who comes in and will motivate the team in any way. A lot of good points made by these guys here. And a lot of blame to spread around. I would say this world cup break is the last chance for me to have any faith in Amorim. Take the month break (3 league cup games but essentially glorified friendlies) and get the confidence back, talk to the director and figure where the holes are, and work on a plan B or show some evolution. Otherwise it's time for change.
Nah. It's already time for a change. Season has been an absolute disaster in every way. Players have no confidence in this fraud. Move on now and get a head start for next season. No sense in delaying the inevitable.