First day back

[one footed wonder]

I agree. As I have noted, I did not expect the team to be so unorganised etc.

bizarrely I reckon we could see a much more organised set up and a little bit more fight from certain elements of the team if a certain Irish centre half gets returned to the team, almost as if they have got what they wanted so try a little harder......could be wrong like

 

[Deleted User 18963]

Searched 'dembele' to see how long ago it was that the link came out. Was asked earlier about what changed in the clubs mind, was trying to see when the initial link came out and when it subsequently went quiet.

Don't think anybody expected what happened since like, even on the pitch


Aye. As much as we need additions we shouldn't be putting in these displays like.

Aye that is it. I still maintain that signings like Lens and Matthews can be a success. Just need to find a shape and structure to the team. I did fully expect more significant signings though, have to concede that.

The crux of the matter to me is that Advocaat has asked for between 4 and 6 players good enough to improve the first team (depending on what report you read) and got 1.

I know you're not blaming him and I don't want to make it sound like you are, but he can only do so much and unless he has been given free reign over transfer business (which we all know he hasn't) then there's really not much more he can do IMO given we have a Director of Football.

This group of players has proven not to be good enough time and time again. Throwing in 3 or 4 squad players of a similar standard to what is already there is not going to give any manager a cat in hells chance.

I agree, the board have let him down, 100%. However, Dick also has a part to play in this. The organisation throughout pre season and the start of this season, has been a complete joke. Looks like work is missing from the training pitch and the players do not know their roles. Dick searching for a formation/system is making everything disjointed. He has got it wrong on many tactical levels within the first 2 games. I expect better in the future from both Dick and the board. Just not sure that I will get it. As I said, something else is away behind the scenes.

 

[Howard the Duck]

Aye that is it. I still maintain that signings like Lens and Matthews can be a success. Just need to find a shape and structure to the team. I did fully expect more significant signings though, have to concede that.

Does that mean you've given up all hope that they could still come before the window's done?

 

[Deleted User 18963]

Does that mean you've given up all hope that they could still come before the window's done?

Just to this point mate. My worry is that, any quality players who were in discussion are now looking elsewhere. That is what this type of start does for you. Football players are selfish and will only look at the short term and do not want to put themselves into the flames etc.

 

[Alfa]

If Advocaat still is intent on playing 433 we need four players before the window shuts.
Otherwise we haven't got the players capable of playing with the required intensity in the league and we'll continue to get outplayed and overrun.

Left back
Centre midfield
Centre forward
Right wide forward

 

[Deleted User 18963]

If Advocaat still is intent on playing 433 we need four players before the window shuts.
Otherwise we haven't got the players capable of playing with the required intensity in the league and we'll continue to get outplayed and overrun.

Left back
Centre midfield
Centre forward
Right wide forward

Need a quality CB IMO. We have shipped 7 goals!

 

[Daveynic]

Aye that is it. I still maintain that signings like Lens and Matthews can be a success. Just need to find a shape and structure to the team. I did fully expect more significant signings though, have to concede that.



I agree, the board have let him down, 100%. However, Dick also has a part to play in this. The organisation throughout pre season and the start of this season, has been a complete joke. Looks like work is missing from the training pitch and the players do not know their roles. Dick searching for a formation/system is making everything disjointed. He has got it wrong on many tactical levels within the first 2 games. I expect better in the future from both Dick and the board. Just not sure that I will get it. As I said, something else is away behind the scenes.

I mentioned this on a different thread after the Leicester game. I couldn't believe that we seemed so unprepared, unfit and disorganised. You don't expect that with such an experienced manager. Is his back up team the same as it was? I was told today his long time assistant retired at the end of the season?

 

[Mowgli]

Need a quality CB IMO. We have shipped 7 goals!

Absolutely. Can't see it mind

 

[Deleted User 18963]

I mentioned this on a different thread after the Leicester game. I couldn't believe that we seemed so unprepared, unfit and disorganised. You don't expect that with such an experienced manager. Is his back up team the same as it was? I was told today his long time assistant retired at the end of the season?

He did.

 

[ZOMBIES]

I always have it in the back of my head that the Johnson situation might be extremely hard for the group to deal with, the chants in the opener were so jarring.

Still doesn't go too far to explain the central issues of looking so disinterested in keeping the ball and giving up bizarre goals.

 

[Daveynic]

He did.

I hope that doesn't explain too much about the way we have started. Does nothing ever go right for us?

 

[Alfa]

Need a quality CB IMO. We have shipped 7 goals!

Yes I know but where do you end? I think O'Shea has to come back in and find a partner for him from the other options we have.
PVA's confidence is so shot that he needs a break just to try and recover some semblance of composure.
We desperately need a creative midfield player and if DA is determined to play 433 we also need a right sided forward and a central striker accustomed to and adept at playing that system.
As you say given the start we've made and the negativity surrounding the club, any player with a reputation to protect will avoid us.
Given these circumstances I'd say we'll be looking abroad again for any outright buys and depending on young inexperienced fringe players at the big clubs in the premier league for our domestic loans.

 

[sir rowell cummins]

Aye that is it. I still maintain that signings like Lens and Matthews can be a success. Just need to find a shape and structure to the team. I did fully expect more significant signings though, have to concede that.



I agree, the board have let him down, 100%. However, Dick also has a part to play in this. The organisation throughout pre season and the start of this season, has been a complete joke. Looks like work is missing from the training pitch and the players do not know their roles. Dick searching for a formation/system is making everything disjointed. He has got it wrong on many tactical levels within the first 2 games. I expect better in the future from both Dick and the board. Just not sure that I will get it. As I said, something else is away behind the scenes.

I keep following you around agreeing with you like a brown noser but I totally agree with this whole statement. We had better players than Norwich but our players were unconnected and confused and theirs weren't. Organised teams with bad players normally do better than the other way round - every World Cup shows us that . I've been saying that dick has got it wrong so far and somehow somewhere there is a rabbit away . I expect a shock exit as they fire a shot across the bows, or someone in the staff team to be gone - maybe dick on the 2nd of September .

 

[Deleted User 18963]

I keep following you around agreeing with you like a brown noser but I totally agree with this whole statement. We had better players than Norwich but our players were unconnected and confused and theirs weren't. Organised teams with bad players normally do better than the other way round - every World Cup shows us that . I've been saying that dick has got it wrong so far and somehow somewhere there is a rabbit away . I expect a shock exit as they fire a shot across the bows, or someone in the staff team to be gone - maybe dick on the 2nd of September .

We just have similar points of views marra

 

[sir rowell cummins]

Need a quality CB IMO. We have shipped 7 goals!

To be honest I think it's more the confusion than the players. That's why I'd play O' Shea until people settle.

 

[Shangri La]

Lombards would have made such a difference.

 

[wigwam89]

Well, back with a bang?

Cattermole new 5 year deal

Linked with 3 internationals who look to have a very good chance of coming through the doors. Definitely moving in the right direction. For those not sure on players like Lombaerts etc, look at the pedigree and the fact he starts games for Belgium. Compare to RDF dealings of Diakite and Roberge!

Lens? Enough quality at a high level to suggest he is worth the gamble. Quick and Dick has worked with him many times. Good be what we need.

Matthews, will get better IMO. Young and very good work ethic. Provide real competition for Jones. Also, shows we are not getting held to random over fees with Byram and Co.

I have said we will do things differently this window and will move in the right direction. Really hope we get these players done and others to follow. Have a feeling we will not be done yet.

Don't want to get carried away, as we all know how that has worked out before however, nice to see us seriously linked with quality footballers.

 

[Jonty08]

Certainly has not panned out as well as it could. I didnt expect Dick to set the team up how he has though and something is not right behind the scenes. Not the money thing, on the training pitch and the group dynamics.

Di Canio type issues on the horizon?

 

[Botchie]

Still think Dick knew what he was letting himself in for and hasn't just been told we are skint. I also don't understand the point of employing the DoF (which I like the role of) if your not going to give him the tools to do the job.

 

[DJM]

It's interesting to remember how much more positive things felt a month ago.
Whatever the problem is behind scenes, I hope it is sorted at least to the extent that the current squad plays to its full potential.

Clutching at straws, but I'm hoping:
(1) our god-awful start has been significantly affected by the poor pre-season plans (too much travelling, visa farce etc) and that the players now quickly get up to speed.
(2) The axe man turns out to be even better than hoped
(3) Lens kicks on and gets his Premier League legs and proves to be a bargain signing
(4) we get shot of a significant number of the unwanted players and begin to get a grip on wages
(5) we still get that creative CM and striker, plus decent LB competition.