Chris Warner
@chrislwarner.bsky.social
Work in executive search with venture backed tech companies.
Interested in politics, business, Tottenham Hotspur and the Golden State Warriors. #COYS
Interested in politics, business, Tottenham Hotspur and the Golden State Warriors. #COYS
Genuinely one of the worst decisions I can remember. It’s the arrogance that gets me. Mistakes, not seeing something, fine. But to have time, and multiple camera angles, and to decide to re-referee that decision. Sort of thing that makes me not want to watch football.
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Genuinely one of the worst decisions I can remember. It’s the arrogance that gets me. Mistakes, not seeing something, fine. But to have time, and multiple camera angles, and to decide to re-referee that decision. Sort of thing that makes me not want to watch football.
What concerns me is what we’re building towards with Frank. I like him, but he’s repeatedly talked about breaking down low blocks with crosses. And it’s what we’ve seen in the games so far. It’s very Moyes at United, not sure it cuts it here.
November 30, 2025 at 11:13 PM
What concerns me is what we’re building towards with Frank. I like him, but he’s repeatedly talked about breaking down low blocks with crosses. And it’s what we’ve seen in the games so far. It’s very Moyes at United, not sure it cuts it here.
..players actually liked. This isn’t to say Ange’s is inherently better, rather that whoever came next needed to have a compelling vision to inspire the players. I wonder if this pragmatic theme of Frank’s is really getting through.
November 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
..players actually liked. This isn’t to say Ange’s is inherently better, rather that whoever came next needed to have a compelling vision to inspire the players. I wonder if this pragmatic theme of Frank’s is really getting through.
Personally I believe him, in that it wasn’t supposed to be THAT defensive. I think the players aren’t getting what he’s asking for. There’s a real disconnect right now. He is trying to inspire a new culture and way of working, and my worry is it’s very different to Ange’s, which a lot of the…
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Personally I believe him, in that it wasn’t supposed to be THAT defensive. I think the players aren’t getting what he’s asking for. There’s a real disconnect right now. He is trying to inspire a new culture and way of working, and my worry is it’s very different to Ange’s, which a lot of the…
Thought this was really noticeable during the Chelsea game. We’d recover the ball, then look backwards. There was no intention to counter. Not sure whether players are misunderstanding what Frank wants, or whether this is deliberate.
November 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Thought this was really noticeable during the Chelsea game. We’d recover the ball, then look backwards. There was no intention to counter. Not sure whether players are misunderstanding what Frank wants, or whether this is deliberate.
Totally fair. IMO Frank fully realised is making other teams look naive and us looking ruthlessly efficient. When not working, it looks like what we have now, which is a lot of nothing. Who knows if we get there…
November 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Totally fair. IMO Frank fully realised is making other teams look naive and us looking ruthlessly efficient. When not working, it looks like what we have now, which is a lot of nothing. Who knows if we get there…
I don’t disagree he’s more reactive. I’m just a little sympathetic to the offensive injuries and that he has spoke of ‘adding layers’ which suggests a bit more time might get us to more effective play. I was Ange’s biggest fan, but we are where we are. If he fails to get it working, he’ll be gone.
November 9, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I don’t disagree he’s more reactive. I’m just a little sympathetic to the offensive injuries and that he has spoke of ‘adding layers’ which suggests a bit more time might get us to more effective play. I was Ange’s biggest fan, but we are where we are. If he fails to get it working, he’ll be gone.
Also in fairness to him, the injuries especially offensively are crazy right now. It’s not quite last season’s level because we’ve still been able to rotate a bit, but the numbers are really stacking up.
November 9, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Also in fairness to him, the injuries especially offensively are crazy right now. It’s not quite last season’s level because we’ve still been able to rotate a bit, but the numbers are really stacking up.
I think in fairness, I’d expect him to loosen his system to Copenhagen, and play his system today. And in an ideal world, we’ve shut United out and been clinical, and we look smart rather than naive. I just don’t think his actual system has clicked or fully formed yet. But I’m glad he loosened Wed.
November 9, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I think in fairness, I’d expect him to loosen his system to Copenhagen, and play his system today. And in an ideal world, we’ve shut United out and been clinical, and we look smart rather than naive. I just don’t think his actual system has clicked or fully formed yet. But I’m glad he loosened Wed.
Agreed. It clearly hasn’t clicked yet. And if he can’t figure out the offence his philosophy and system is never going to work with us. There’s clearly still more we need to figure out to get fully firing.
November 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Agreed. It clearly hasn’t clicked yet. And if he can’t figure out the offence his philosophy and system is never going to work with us. There’s clearly still more we need to figure out to get fully firing.
…Ange’s biggest fan!
November 9, 2025 at 12:33 AM
…Ange’s biggest fan!
…stupid like today. Maddening silly clearance for their first. And maddening lack of control to even give away the corner for the 2nd. But Frank talks of layers, I think he has a method. And I don’t think it’s all there yet. Given positive signs, I’m willing to see where it goes. I say this as…
November 9, 2025 at 12:33 AM
…stupid like today. Maddening silly clearance for their first. And maddening lack of control to even give away the corner for the 2nd. But Frank talks of layers, I think he has a method. And I don’t think it’s all there yet. Given positive signs, I’m willing to see where it goes. I say this as…
…better in these sorts of games, relative to what Brentford are capable of. I think when it clicks, Romero and VDV should be capable of shutting out the good players, and we convert higher quality chances. Right now the offence isn’t quite there, and we’re either getting unlucky like vs Villa, or…..
November 9, 2025 at 12:31 AM
…better in these sorts of games, relative to what Brentford are capable of. I think when it clicks, Romero and VDV should be capable of shutting out the good players, and we convert higher quality chances. Right now the offence isn’t quite there, and we’re either getting unlucky like vs Villa, or…..
I instinctively agree with you, but I’m not sure it won’t work better with Frank given time. Essentially, I think he needs a better game in possession for the weaker sides (Copenhagen was a positive step) and the better players we have relative to Brentford should see us carry out his philosophy…
November 9, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I instinctively agree with you, but I’m not sure it won’t work better with Frank given time. Essentially, I think he needs a better game in possession for the weaker sides (Copenhagen was a positive step) and the better players we have relative to Brentford should see us carry out his philosophy…
We also limited them to half that XG today. Not saying it’s great, but the Frank philosophy is to limit chances against and create a lower number of higher quality chances going forward. I don’t think it’s all clicked yet, and I much preferred the Ange philosophy, but I see what he’s trying to do.
November 9, 2025 at 12:17 AM
We also limited them to half that XG today. Not saying it’s great, but the Frank philosophy is to limit chances against and create a lower number of higher quality chances going forward. I don’t think it’s all clicked yet, and I much preferred the Ange philosophy, but I see what he’s trying to do.
Would genuinely love to understand more about why Vinai was hired. How will be complement Levy? Which gaps is he plugging? The video made it seem like they’d make every decision together, and Vinai does not take the job if it’s just to be a sense check on DL.
June 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Would genuinely love to understand more about why Vinai was hired. How will be complement Levy? Which gaps is he plugging? The video made it seem like they’d make every decision together, and Vinai does not take the job if it’s just to be a sense check on DL.
And because of this, your point on Ange suffering from the squad build bet while the hierarchy benefits from his trophy bet is so perfectly put. That’s why the sacking feels wrong to me. I firmly believe the next season we would have roared back under him, and now we’ll never know.
June 13, 2025 at 2:08 AM
And because of this, your point on Ange suffering from the squad build bet while the hierarchy benefits from his trophy bet is so perfectly put. That’s why the sacking feels wrong to me. I firmly believe the next season we would have roared back under him, and now we’ll never know.
Really great thread. This point is so often missed in the analysis. He could have easily got more points in the league (even with Europa focus) but had an eye on the third season, not destroying the identity, keeping the squad bought into the bigger picture they were building towards.
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Really great thread. This point is so often missed in the analysis. He could have easily got more points in the league (even with Europa focus) but had an eye on the third season, not destroying the identity, keeping the squad bought into the bigger picture they were building towards.
I really wanted Ange’s third season. A deeper, more experienced squad more comfortable with the physical demands and fully embedded into his system. The momentum of actually winning binding the squad together. He’s took much of a risk for these owners though. Nothing changes meaningfully with them.
June 8, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I really wanted Ange’s third season. A deeper, more experienced squad more comfortable with the physical demands and fully embedded into his system. The momentum of actually winning binding the squad together. He’s took much of a risk for these owners though. Nothing changes meaningfully with them.
Ange has always needed belief in his long term vision, that it would pay off in the face of the doubters more than anyone thought possible. It happened to him everywhere he’s been. For whatever reason ENIC never understood that aspect, or simply thought the variance wasn’t worth the pay off.
June 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Ange has always needed belief in his long term vision, that it would pay off in the face of the doubters more than anyone thought possible. It happened to him everywhere he’s been. For whatever reason ENIC never understood that aspect, or simply thought the variance wasn’t worth the pay off.
I think it’s about having ‘alignment’ within the structure. Eg Frank working with Lange. But also with the goals of the club. Predictable revenue over big swings for the top prizes. I agree with you that Ange as manager would have been consistently top 6 anyway, but he would have wanted more.
June 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I think it’s about having ‘alignment’ within the structure. Eg Frank working with Lange. But also with the goals of the club. Predictable revenue over big swings for the top prizes. I agree with you that Ange as manager would have been consistently top 6 anyway, but he would have wanted more.
Completely agree with this. No issue with Frank. He’ll have us probably 5-7th next year. 3-4th if it’s a really good year. But he’s not the hire we’re making because we have a plan to attack Liverpool and City. It’s basically the same plan we’ve had since Jol was manager. Won’t change under ENIC.
June 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Completely agree with this. No issue with Frank. He’ll have us probably 5-7th next year. 3-4th if it’s a really good year. But he’s not the hire we’re making because we have a plan to attack Liverpool and City. It’s basically the same plan we’ve had since Jol was manager. Won’t change under ENIC.
And then it just goes back to your original point, this trade would not have been made but for a historic injury crisis. But Ange is punished for making something of this season, rather than creating the illusion of stability with a late season charge to 12th. So utterly deflating.
June 7, 2025 at 1:52 AM
And then it just goes back to your original point, this trade would not have been made but for a historic injury crisis. But Ange is punished for making something of this season, rather than creating the illusion of stability with a late season charge to 12th. So utterly deflating.
Under Ange, Frank or anyone else, we’d be top 6 next season, maybe 4th, maybe 8th. But we’d be there. But it is extremely obvious that appointing Frank is not the act of a club preparing to challenge Liverpool and City. The promise of Ange was that he’d be so daring as to go for more. Horrible move.
June 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Under Ange, Frank or anyone else, we’d be top 6 next season, maybe 4th, maybe 8th. But we’d be there. But it is extremely obvious that appointing Frank is not the act of a club preparing to challenge Liverpool and City. The promise of Ange was that he’d be so daring as to go for more. Horrible move.
I genuinely do not understand how this isn’t obvious to the decision makers of the club. Well, I do. It’s because Ange risked the guarantee of PL prize money (even at 12th) for the promise of a trophy. And they didn’t like it. This sums up everything about the club, it is simply not about winning.
June 7, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I genuinely do not understand how this isn’t obvious to the decision makers of the club. Well, I do. It’s because Ange risked the guarantee of PL prize money (even at 12th) for the promise of a trophy. And they didn’t like it. This sums up everything about the club, it is simply not about winning.