Six games (hopefully) a litmus test of LJ’s credentials to manage SAFC going forward.


Status
Not open for further replies.
Is it fuck.

Until its a squad he's been able to build following the new plans of himself, the owners, sporting director, scouts and recruitment manager, then no. He's trying to turn a team of failures around - look at how shit we've been with largely this squad for the last 2 years.

If we go up, great. If not, so be it - next season is the litmus test.
Just wish he'd help himself regarding team set up. He's his own worst enemy
 
  • Like
Reactions: PTR
Is it fuck.

Until its a squad he's been able to build following the new plans of himself, the owners, sporting director, scouts and recruitment manager, then no. He's trying to turn a team of failures around - look at how shit we've been with largely this squad for the last 2 years.

If we go up, great. If not, so be it - next season is the litmus test.
I agree to be fair. I’m not as tolerant as you regarding his performance so far which I think has been poor even factoring in any extenuating circumstances but the real judgement of him will be next year. Plenty are leaving, plenty will be coming in and there will be no excuses.
 
I agree to be fair. I’m not as tolerant as you regarding his performance so far which I think has been poor even factoring in any extenuating circumstances but the real judgement of him will be next year. Plenty are leaving, plenty will be coming in and there will be no excuses.
Seems like he has a TOTALLY different way of playing to both our last 2 managers, and he's trying to shoe-horn that into the current squad.
Sometimes it works, but then other times it doesn't.
Plus, we've barely had fit defenders all season, which isn't helping.

Mind, not being able to adapt to the players you have isn't a "tick" for him, don't get me wrong.
 
Say we forget what’s happened in the recent past (oh if we could) and look at what the next (potentially) six games could mean not only for the future of the club but as a test of Lee Johnson’s managerial credentials.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that 3 wins from the next six games could ensure promotion.

For arguments sake say we draw tomorrow night (1-1 anyone?) and win at Plymouth at the weekend.

Northampton, a side desperate for a result to stay in the league then come to Sunderland and secure the point that keeps them up.

That would leave us on 78 points which I think would be enough to secure 3rd or at worst 4th place in the final table.

Another draw in our first leg play off semifinal is followed by a narrow victory in the return leg taking us back to Wembley having achieved two wins from five.

A final victory would ensure promotion achievable from a win every other game in our last six.

Looks pretty straightforward....... what could possibly go wrong?

Over to you Lee


In terms of a litmus test... how many games does that take and what are the governing params for success or failure?

the common perception is the team are bottlers (hard to deny) however rightly or wrong until very recently The team and LJ were finding ways to win
( and not bottling).... at that point the limus test might indicate success, but whats changed (sanderson getting injured aside) has something else changed?


my concern is this ... the new manager bounce has ended and we are back to square one, and the team are reverting back to type and or LJ isnt the right guy to get us out of Lg1
all current indicators are the litmus test might indicate failure

what if anything can LJ do to arrest the implosion happening presently?
 
Last edited:
In terms of a litmus test... how many games does that take and what are the governing params for success or failure?

the common perception is the team are bottlers (hard to deny) however rightly or wrong until very recently The team and LJ were finding ways to win
( and not bottling).... at that point the limus test might indicate success, but whats changed (sanderson getting injured aside) has something else changed?


my concern is this ... the new manager bounce has ended and we are back to square one, and the team are reverting back to type and or LJ isnt the right guy to get us out of Lg1
all current indicators are the litmus test might indicate failure

what if anything can LJ do to arrest the implosion happening presently?

I think the next three League games and hopefully three playoff games are a real test of his coaching credentials.

Yes I get that this isn’t his squad but he’s been here long enough now to know the merits of the players he has at his disposal.

Hull and Peterborough will rightly get promoted as being the best two sides in the league but can Johnson find a way to ensure this squad of players can win the only other available promotion place.

As damaging as the latest info regarding Sanderson is, our squad is at least on par with the other playoff contenders and is arguably better than most.
 
I think the next three League games and hopefully three playoff games are a real test of his coaching credentials.

Yes I get that this isn’t his squad but he’s been here long enough now to know the merits of the players he has at his disposal.

Hull and Peterborough will rightly get promoted as being the best two sides in the league but can Johnson find a way to ensure this squad of players can win the only other available promotion place.

As damaging as the latest info regarding Sanderson is, our squad is at least on par with the other playoff contenders and is arguably better than most.
Having a strong squad doesn’t mean much of all of the defenders in it bar one are injured.
 
I agree it’s a big blow regarding Sanderson.

Is there a chance either Flanagan or McLaughlan could be available ?
Sounds like both *might* make the Northampton game: not ideal if they only have that as an opportunity for minutes before big play off games.

We need to find a way to regroup and patch up the defence. Even in this bad run, just cutting out silly errors would have done it.

Amazing how much Sanderson was helping us out:
 
Sounds like both *might* make the Northampton game: not ideal if they only have that as an opportunity for minutes before big play off games.

We need to find a way to regroup and patch up the defence. Even in this bad run, just cutting out silly errors would have done it.

Amazing how much Sanderson was helping us out:
Need to arrange a game with the u23s
 
Just wish he'd help himself regarding team set up. He's his own worst enemy

Don't think he has a clue tbh and I don't blame him, players who tried to knock it about 12 games ago and looked to be fighting for each other are back to lumping it forward at the first sign of pressure and I think it's fair to say most of them are hiding away from the ball again. If he's failed at anything it's man management but this squad has form for this a few times over, I really don't think any but the very best would get these top of the league.
 
Don't think he has a clue tbh and I don't blame him, players who tried to knock it about 12 games ago and looked to be fighting for each other are back to lumping it forward at the first sign of pressure and I think it's fair to say most of them are hiding away from the ball again. If he's failed at anything it's man management but this squad has form for this a few times over, I really don't think any but the very best would get these top of the league.
Probably right
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Back
Top