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GJP
Well-Known Member
Hopefully we can pull something out of the bag here but this again raises concerns over AN's approach to teams that aren't the big 4 or 5.
eatonparkboy
New Member
We do not have a Premier League squad or a Premier League manager or a Premier League board. It really is that simple. And that isn't just an over reaction to what has been the worst performance since Luton in the Cup. It is being said by pundits, journalists and other supporters. We have blind faith and don't want to believe it.
Even Brady had an awful game today. Rudd is the only one who can really say that he was pleased with his performance.
Even Brady had an awful game today. Rudd is the only one who can really say that he was pleased with his performance.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Alex Neil just got it completely wrong today, rubbish performance and completely the wrong starting XI, set up to play passing football on a frozen pitch.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
We already know that, but I'd say there are 4 or 5 teams as bad as us so we've got a chance, wouldn't swap our squad for Sunderland's or Bournemouth's for example.
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GJP
Well-Known Member
But Sunderland have got a manager who knows how to keep a team up.
And Bournemouth have got a manager who has a clear plan of how he wants to play.
And Bournemouth have got a manager who has a clear plan of how he wants to play.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Alex Neil got it horribly wrong today, but prior to today we've put in four good performances in a row and there were no complaints about his tactics in those fixtures.
Eddie Howe may have a "clear plan", but it simply isn't working, they haven't won a game for two and a half months and we thumped them so it doesn't look like its a very good plan.
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GJP
Well-Known Member
I haven't been that impressed with AN for the last couple of months.
eatonparkboy
New Member
I think we had a big debate about the Arsenal tactics, namely his chosen striker. And we only won one of those games, at home against a team who didn't have a shot at goal and are in freefall. And maybe without a manager tonight, who knows.
Yes, the scoreline suggests we were in it against Chelsea, a team below us at the time, and Manchester City but the fact remains we lost both games. And City aren't the force they were especially without Aguero.
AN said he wouldn't compromise his principles of attacking football. We all knew that was a soundbyte. The reality is, he will do what he thinks is necessary to keep us picking up enough points. And recently that emphasis has been on defence. But he tinkers each game, like leaving O'Neill, last weeks skiper, out and to be honest I don't think he or the squad are sophisticated enough to fiddle about.
I am now concerned about our ability as a Club to attract the right players come January. We badly need fresh blood but I don't think our manager has ever been in the position he will be in.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
He is being a bit of a 'tinkerman' at the moment and it does feel a bit like it has taken him far too long to identify his best XI.
I really just think he got it terribly wrong today and it was obvious it was going to be a scrappy physical game, one ripe for the likes of Mbokani and Mulumbu.
I really just think he got it terribly wrong today and it was obvious it was going to be a scrappy physical game, one ripe for the likes of Mbokani and Mulumbu.
Din
Well-Known Member
I just don't understand us at all to be honest. In the last few games we've been playing really well, and have been unfortunate to have played Arsenal, Chelsea and Man.City in that run, and then we go to Watford, who, no disrespect intended, are a team with pretty evenly-matched players as us, and we just don't turn up and get turned over. We were shambolic today and Watford completely controlled the game, and Ighalo absolutely humiliated our defence. We were lucky as well as Tettey should've really been sent off for bringing down Ighalo, and Ighalo was also onside despite his goal being disallowed.
I think we missed Hoolahan today. We were completely unable to retain the ball at times, whereas he is someone who is capable of doing that. Grabban was awful, didn't even look remotely interested, but that said I don't really understand why Grabban was being played considering that our tactics seemed to be to play the ball long, which doesn't suit him at all, and would suit Jerome or Mbokani. Bassong had an absolute mare. The only bright spark today was Declan Rudd, who aside from a couple of dodgy kicks, was superb. Made a few good saves and merited his place. Would've preferred Redmond not to be sacrificed either, would sooner have seen Howson come off. I thought part of the point of getting Mbokani on was to provide an aerial threat in the box, so it doesn't make sense to me taking a natural wide player off, and one of the only players in the team capable of going past a defender and getting a cross in.
Everton, Man.United and Tottenham in our next 3 games as well. Wouldn't surprise me at all if we were well and truly in the bottom 3 by the end of that run.
I think we missed Hoolahan today. We were completely unable to retain the ball at times, whereas he is someone who is capable of doing that. Grabban was awful, didn't even look remotely interested, but that said I don't really understand why Grabban was being played considering that our tactics seemed to be to play the ball long, which doesn't suit him at all, and would suit Jerome or Mbokani. Bassong had an absolute mare. The only bright spark today was Declan Rudd, who aside from a couple of dodgy kicks, was superb. Made a few good saves and merited his place. Would've preferred Redmond not to be sacrificed either, would sooner have seen Howson come off. I thought part of the point of getting Mbokani on was to provide an aerial threat in the box, so it doesn't make sense to me taking a natural wide player off, and one of the only players in the team capable of going past a defender and getting a cross in.
Everton, Man.United and Tottenham in our next 3 games as well. Wouldn't surprise me at all if we were well and truly in the bottom 3 by the end of that run.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Brighton haven't lost a single league game this season under Chris Hughton, perhaps we could consider him 
h34r:
h34r: eatonparkboy
New Member
I'm not a Grabban fan and have made that repeatedly public but admit that doesn't make me right, just opinionated. And I certainly do not hold a grudge for his earlier indiscretion. That is history. I don't think he played that well last week but acknowledge he scored a nice goal.
But today he looked totally disinterested, lazy and ready to pack his bags. Yes he received some shocking balls but that should make him even more determined.
Personally I have seen enough and think if we get our money back on him, we should encourage him to leave.
But today he looked totally disinterested, lazy and ready to pack his bags. Yes he received some shocking balls but that should make him even more determined.
Personally I have seen enough and think if we get our money back on him, we should encourage him to leave.
eatonparkboy
New Member
Today, we looked like we had taken him back already.Brighton haven't lost a single league game this season under Chris Hughton, perhaps we could consider him
All the bench had their arms folded a la CH style and Holt and Macca looked like Statler and Waldorf.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
Wish I'd waited a few hours
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Ha. I would also add that we haven't had the injury problems that Bournemouth have had.
Had we appointed AN in the summer would we be pleased with what we've seen so far?
Had we appointed AN in the summer would we be pleased with what we've seen so far?
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Few things that haven't sat well with me:
It's hard to say how much is his fault and how much sits with the board but not strengthening areas which clearly needed it (the defence!) has also been very disappointing. I can't help but think if AN had really made it clear that he needs a new defender (or two) they'd have got him one.
- Howson rarely playing in central midfield and often playing in positions that don't suit him.
- Dropping O'Neil when he had been on fine form.
- Bringing back a half fit Tettey (which links to the O'Neil thing and also raises questions of what Mulumbu is being paid for).
- Dropping Whittaker after the Newcastle game and shifting Martin to RB just to keep him in the team, then following a dire showing at RB shifting him into a "sweeper role".
- Not getting the best out of Redmond. I know part of it must come from the player but he started the season strongly and now it's a toss of a coin whether he'll start or not.
It's hard to say how much is his fault and how much sits with the board but not strengthening areas which clearly needed it (the defence!) has also been very disappointing. I can't help but think if AN had really made it clear that he needs a new defender (or two) they'd have got him one.
splutcho
Moderator
I can't remember the last time I was in such a foul mood after a Norwich game. This one has really done me in. I'm hoping it's the mood and pessimism talking, but I really can't see us staying up.
Boyerboy
New Member
Right. I spent ages writing something like this and it didn't post and I lost it. So I'm trying again. Please remember that if you think it's rubbish!
i agree with much of what is said. Yesterday was poor and disappointing but let's keep some perspective. Some idiot on Canary Call who was old enough to remember Grant, Roeder and the worst of Worthington said this was the worst game he'd seen. Clearly not but clearly not good enough. But, which is the typical City? Yesterday or last week?
Saying that, I think saying we will be relegated after yesterday is as hyperbolic as saying we will qualify for Europe after Sunderland and West Ham. Neither was typical and neither seems to me to follow from were we see at the moment.
Neil was criticised for sticking with favourites and now he is criticised for changing things and not knowing his best team (?). Apart from being contradictory, the criticism ignores the fact that Neil has always said that he picks what he thinks is the best team for the game. He doesn't ignore the opposition or the conditions but rather picks a team for the day. He has given plenty of players a chance and some have seized the chance.
We know that we tried to sign players in the summer who turned us down. It seems clear now that two bids of over £10 m were rejected for central defenders. As a newly promoted unfashionable side, that is to be expected perhaps but we have to hope our stock is better in January. One area where Neil has been a success is in transfers. M' Bakani, Brady, Wisdom and Mulumbu are all good signings so lm confident we will only add to our strength.
the requirement is to finish 17 th or better. Once we have another year's tv money, then we can move forward to the next level.
I have huge respect for Neil especially after seeing him at the dinner last month. I see him like Redmond. Both are unfunny, have huge potential and are learning. Both make mistakes. Both are committed to analysing what they do and to improving.
I want ant us to keep faith in both because they can both only get better and to our benefit
i agree with much of what is said. Yesterday was poor and disappointing but let's keep some perspective. Some idiot on Canary Call who was old enough to remember Grant, Roeder and the worst of Worthington said this was the worst game he'd seen. Clearly not but clearly not good enough. But, which is the typical City? Yesterday or last week?
Saying that, I think saying we will be relegated after yesterday is as hyperbolic as saying we will qualify for Europe after Sunderland and West Ham. Neither was typical and neither seems to me to follow from were we see at the moment.
Neil was criticised for sticking with favourites and now he is criticised for changing things and not knowing his best team (?). Apart from being contradictory, the criticism ignores the fact that Neil has always said that he picks what he thinks is the best team for the game. He doesn't ignore the opposition or the conditions but rather picks a team for the day. He has given plenty of players a chance and some have seized the chance.
We know that we tried to sign players in the summer who turned us down. It seems clear now that two bids of over £10 m were rejected for central defenders. As a newly promoted unfashionable side, that is to be expected perhaps but we have to hope our stock is better in January. One area where Neil has been a success is in transfers. M' Bakani, Brady, Wisdom and Mulumbu are all good signings so lm confident we will only add to our strength.
the requirement is to finish 17 th or better. Once we have another year's tv money, then we can move forward to the next level.
I have huge respect for Neil especially after seeing him at the dinner last month. I see him like Redmond. Both are unfunny, have huge potential and are learning. Both make mistakes. Both are committed to analysing what they do and to improving.
I want ant us to keep faith in both because they can both only get better and to our benefit
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