19 Nov 2017 20:06:35
This time last season I was hoping for 6th place. This season I'm hoping we don't get relegated.

1.) 20 Nov 2017
20 Nov 2017 12:33:00
I feel let down by the board this season. I do feel that MP was not the first choice for the board as a new manager. Since we sacked CP and he did not leave, I was expecting a quick turnaround of staff but that did not happen.
I always view our board as organized and risky, when it comes to recruiting a new manager. If you look at Poch, he was a very risky signing but paid off. I would say Keoman was a risk due to his lack of PL experience but he paid off. Again, we looked for the same qualities in terms of trophies from CP but he did not pay off. And we've clearly done the same with MP. Which, thus far has not paid off. I do feel the road that the club want to be heading, is that they will have wanted a manager with CL or UFEA cup experience. MP achieved the exact same as us last season but in Spain.
I don't want our board to become the sort of club that sacks off manager after manager. I'd like us to hold onto MP, let him recruit new players. Give him some time. At the end of the day he can tell the team to press, but once they step onto the field it's up to them how the play. I think his main problem is his lack of PL experience and the squad he has. The squad is big and we haven't really had any unfortunate injuries yet. We could line up anyway as we have the depth to cover that. He likes the 4-2-3-1 as did CP, but that formation his never worked for us. Keoman and Poch both played 4-3-3. With Poch's side playing with a lot of fluidity.
I think we should look at playing 4-3-3. My strongest team from midfield would be.
CM - Romeu (he would just sit and cover as he has done since he joined)
CM - Lemina (breaks up play brilliant, could become deadly on the counter)
CM - JWP (I'd like to develop him into the sort of midfield that can move the ball fast. Get the ball to his feet and move it out wide fast)
RW - Redmond (Mainly for pace, I would want him to just focus on getting down the flank and putting the ball in low across the face of goal)
LW - Long (Probably the fastest player in the squad has a good work-rate, would make him lethal on the counter)
STR - Gabs (Best out of a bad bunch, our most likely source to score goals, we'd just need to keep the ball out of the air)

Then we have the flexibility to change the formation with subs. For example, we could simply bring on Boufal or Tadic to add the extra bit of creativity. We could take off both wingers and bring on Austin and Davis, switching to a diamond midfield, which would be more effective for playing keep ball, which could be done if we were in the lead. We could take off a CM for a CB and start playing 5-2-3.

2.) 20 Nov 2017
20 Nov 2017 19:04:22
Actually I meant to say 7th, not 6th above. Well I can't see Pellegrino being the right man. With benefit of hindsight I'd say it's obvious now we'd have been better off with Silva, or keeping Puel. Puel had some bad luck losing both centre backs, and the free- scoring Austin at the same time last season, he had to play a bit defensive to compensate. I reckon he may have turned things round with Hoedt, Lemina, etc, who new manager has luxery to choose.
But I'll never understand why Austin is not starting, suicidal from Pellegrino, he needs to go. Other than the Austin mystery he additionally has us playing terribly. At times last season we were dull, but we were never as bad as we are this season.
I'd like to see Van Dijk and Bertrand sold, and then sign a whole host of players, a keeper, promote Targett, maybe bring back Chambers and about 3 attacking players. Tadic useless.

3.) 21 Nov 2017
21 Nov 2017 09:34:20
In response to SaintJay
Gabbi is actually an amazing headerer of the ball! when they are hoofed up field he is not so good one on one with a big defender, but from crosses he is oustanding. he is also very quick, he can create goals out of nothing. We just have stopped getting to the byline and making those telling crosses or fast balls along the ground.
Tadic provides zero service towards the box, Cedric's crossing has gone mad? Bertrand is a great crosser of the ball, both air and ground, but is spending so much time covering for Redmond/ Tadic that he is not anywhere near as affective as he was.
As for FF . I have absolutely no idea what this man has to do to be dropped. He is awful? maybe the eds could shed light on why we are sticking with FF despite making so many mistakes?

Quite possibly for the first time in many years I consider us relegation material, if only for the reason we can't score = can't win 3 points.