Ominous

[Number 9]

Forgive me for gushing but I'm starting to enjoy this new regime at our Club.

I understand completely that one swallow a summer does not make, so please don't let's see 27000 City supporters in mankini's on Mundsley beach, that would be weird. However, it certainly is looking like the players and coaches are learning lessons, lessons which have been sadly missed over the past few years.

Not keeping clean sheets and seeing out games in a professional manner has cost us games, points and a couple of relegations. No matter how many midfielders we had, no strike force could score enough to keep up with shipping an average of two goals per game. It was madness!

Yet here we are, having only just put away the calculator and spreadsheets after a summer of downgrading the squad, hey presto - clean sheets and professionalism. Yes I'm optimistic, cautiously optimistic, but if we keep progressing the way we have so far, then we will be Premier League next season. No questions about it, it's ominous!

Now where's that beach towel?

 

[morty]

Aye its starting to tick, people just needed to be a little patient. In fact I think some of the petulant foot stamping because it took 7 or 8 games, was laughable!

 

[Canaryboy]

I'm starting to really buy into Farke too, his man management is top notch, down to the little things like sticking Remi Matthews on the bench last night instead of McGovern because he wants every member of the squad to feel included. 

And dropping Vrancic, calling it a 'rest' but then sticking him back in quickly again for him to state his case. He's really using his squad. 

I wondered whether he has invented injuries for Naismith and Martin too to be honest, because in reality he's bombed them out of the squad but wanted them taken out of the firing line of the fans for a bit to get their heads together and work on improving 'whatever'? 

Trybull looks like an inspired freebie signing too, I suggest we extend his contract now because his agent will be increasing his salary requirements by about a grand a week at this rate  :lol:

Players are working their socks off for each other and their gaffer at the minute. 

 

[morty]

Russel Martin has a flare up with his long standing Colitis and Naismith has an abductor muscle injury.

Allegedly....

 

[Canaryboy]

And yes, this is exactly how we'd need be to playing in the Premier League. We'd need better players to pull it off, but teams always do better when they get promoted with a style of football and then stick with it in the Premier League. 

Its the reason why Eddie Howe has been successful and the reason why Chris Hughton will get sacked before the season has finished. If you get promoted playing gung-ho football and then a few months later you are sticking 10 men behind the ball then that's a complete change in philosophy and we are showing ourselves that it takes months of football to transition like that. Getting promoted by playing the way that you intend to play in the league above is clearly a smart long term strategy, in fact West Brom famously used to get promoted by winning most games 1-0. Their defense got them out of this league. 

 

[Canaryboy]

Russel Martin has a flare up with his long standing Colitis and Naismith has an abductor muscle injury.

Allegedly....

I don't buy it, but I like the idea of doing it that way... both have clearly had their confidence knocked / struggled to cope with fan pressure, I think he's taking them out of the firing line and doesn't want to tell the world that they've been dropped so they save some face. I bet if Pinto got injured in training tomorrow Martin's colitis would heal rapidly  :lol:

I can see Naismith being reintroduced slowly, off the bench to start, I can't see Martin getting football unless Pinto gets injured or suspended to be honest. 

Unless the plan is to banish them from the team to 'encourage' them to write off a bit of money and move on in January, which I wouldn't shed a tear about either to be honest. Naismith had a decent end to last season but we just don't need him, and Martin is going to be our 6th choice centre back by the time we've got Raggatt. 

 

[Number 9]

Martin had injections after the u23 game, Farke called them "nutritious" whatever he meant by that.

 

[OldRobert]

Never mind these 'injuries' fake or otherwise, I have yet to get over the thought of 27000 City fans in mankinis...........

 

[morty]

Martin had injections after the u23 game, Farke called them "nutritious" whatever he meant by that.

Martin has suffered with Colitis for years, and had to adopt a vegan diet to manage it. Maybe he needs vitamin injections to boost his energy levels.

 

[morty]

I don't buy it, but I like the idea of doing it that way... both have clearly had their confidence knocked / struggled to cope with fan pressure, I think he's taking them out of the firing line and doesn't want to tell the world that they've been dropped so they save some face. I bet if Pinto got injured in training tomorrow Martin's colitis would heal rapidly  :lol:

I can see Naismith being reintroduced slowly, off the bench to start, I can't see Martin getting football unless Pinto gets injured or suspended to be honest. 

Unless the plan is to banish them from the team to 'encourage' them to write off a bit of money and move on in January, which I wouldn't shed a tear about either to be honest. Naismith had a decent end to last season but we just don't need him, and Martin is going to be our 6th choice centre back by the time we've got Raggatt. 

Conspiracy theory alert 

 

[Canaryboy]

Just call me David Icke, I'm not sure which player is the shape-shifting reptilian yet. 

 

[morty]

Just call me David Icke, I'm not sure which player is the shape-shifting reptilian yet. 

Farke will peel off his mask to reveal he is actually Glenn Roeder.

Ever seen them in the same room?

Exactly, think about it.

 

[GJP]

At long, long last it feels like the togetherness is back.

 

[Number 9]

Martin has suffered with Colitis for years, and had to adopt a vegan diet to manage it. Maybe he needs vitamin injections to boost his energy levels.

its notgoing to help, having a vegan diet is it?

Bacon sandwich with brown sauce, thats what he needs.

 

[morty]

its notgoing to help, having a vegan diet is it?

Bacon sandwich with brown sauce, thats what he needs.

Urgh, not this debate.

Red sauce on bacon, brown on sausage.

 

[Number 9]

No wonder you keep getting deported!

 

[Number 9]

Brown sauce on your sausage, tut tut!

 

[morty]

Brown sauce on your sausage, tut tut!

Classic double entendre 

 

[Number 9]

Still looking ominous, I'm liking this coaching team, whoever is looking after the back 5 is doing a proper job!

 

[Dubai Mark]

Like this topic

For me I'm now genuinely thinking that the squad hasnt actually been downgraded, BUT...after the Millwall game I felt the opposite!

DF seems to be the quickest learner (in terms of Manager/Coach) we have had at the club in years, the way things have turned around defensively since Villa and more so the Millwall debacle is nothing short of amazing. 

Now, aside of Klose, being a revelation and who is unrecognisable to the player he was last season most of the time  (yes many short memories, after the promising Premier League start, he was well dodgy last season many times, but has learnt big time), I really believe that the difference is how the team appears to have suddenly realised (been coached) that they need to defend as a "team" (not just back 4 or 5) and that they have to work hard in this league, very hard. So, right now I'm actually feeling comfortable that even if we take some more injuries, and no matter whoever comes in (and yes even includiung Russell Martin and Franke who seems to have escaped criticism despite some woeful appearances) that we will see the same level of defending as a team continue......this showed at Boro with the performance of Husband and how we coped with several injuries.

Controversially, I have to say that Naismith is probably the most suited offensive player to the way we are currently set-up, and I personally want to see him back as soon as possible, particularly for home games, I just see him being absolutley ideal behind Nelson and in front of the excellent Trybull, but as I said thats going to be a view few share unfortunately, I seriously believe that he is still a class act and could be crucial to us.

As for Brown sauce, for me it's equally good on sausage or baconb, BUT....you cant beat a bit of Colman's !