I think we all agree that, barring a capitulation from the teams above us, our season is over and therefore planning for next season should begin now. In my mind that means giving the young-uns a chance - I'd love to see Efete, Godfrey, Maddison, McGrandles, Josh, Ramsay and even young Cantwell (who is going to be a star in my opinion) given a run out in the team. It's time we gave them a chance - yes, they will be under pressure to perform but we'll never know if they can or not if they are not given the chance. I doubt if it will happen though - probably will be the same old guard on parade tomorrow night but instead of Dads Army it would be refreshing to see the New Kids out there doing it.
I think that will happen as time goes on, OCF. If Pritchard is out because of the knock he took at the end of the game, then Maddison could be on the bench at least. Godfrey could be on the bench as well, but that may depend on whether Mulumbu is fit (IMO Mulumbu has done a good job when he's played). It's probably a bit early for Efete and Ramsey at the moment, but McGrandles has a fair bit of experience now, though his development was set back by the broken leg, which he's only just come back from. The long-term contracts for Jacob, Josh and Morris at least show that AN sees the youth route as the way forward.
It was RBF that suggested they were the issues to justify why our current position is not down to AN, but the players. I never said I agreed, but suggested if the issues RBF raised about the players were correct then it could still be AN's fault. I think the problems go much deeper than the players playing badly and I have constantly said that AN is generally responsible for how the team performs because he picks the individual parts that makes up the team, commonly known as the players. Almost everyone of our players is playing at a much lower level than they are capable of. They can't all suddenly have gone downhill at the same time. Look at how Redmond, Olsson & Brady have been playing since they left. If there is a common dominator other than AN then I'd like to know what it is.
Yeah great lets get Maddison & Godfrey on the bench, that'll really shake things up and give the senior players the wake up call they clearly need.
Good example, CC I know he's not universally popular there, but 2 goals for Redders at the weekend? Not bad for a wide player. And Olsson? Years Team Apps (Gls) 2007–2013 Blackburn Rovers 117 (3) 2013–2017 Norwich City 119 (3) 2017– Swansea City 6 (2) Sorry, meant to add @GeneralMelchett, great response to my slightly out of character rant from earlier, the replies in red type face. Good on ya!
Ultimately I do blame the manager. the players are clearly not without fault, but as others highlight they have all played better before, some have now gone on to play better elsewhere. But whilst I think hes chief culprit, AN is not the only common denominator. There is; the club, the facilities, the training staff, the board (though they really shouldn't have much influence here), the culture and finally and importantly the players. A number of the players have been here a long time, do they think they know better? Can AN really lay claim to being more experienced than , for example Bassong? Do we have cliques? Do the players find his tactics (Or lack there of) under stimulating? Has one relegation too many demolished their hunger? Are the seats on the coach/plane uncomfortable and when they travel they have numb bums and play worse? Do we have any leaders? Any dissenting or strong voices? Ultimately AN cannot necessarily influence all of these things, but he has bought players that have made little impact in improving it. (All idle speculation........................or is it? Bah!
I've pre ordered 2, in case I spill something on one!!! From what I've seen at home games, Martin is definintely the one who SHOULD be dropped and he should NEVER have been made captain this season and that choice rests squarely with AN!! I've been to most under 23 games RBF and we are unbeaten in the PL International Cup, scoring 15 and conceding only 3, so a GD of 12!!! Just waiting for the date of the Semi Final to be played against Sunderland at CR.
I don't think AN will play the youngsters until we're mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. He would see that as giving up on the season and that's just not part of AN's makeup. I wish he would play some of them now, especially Godfrey.
Not only is NCFC's season over, but far worse, we can no longer claim the mantle of being a 'yo-yo' club!
Well said CS and I'm sure we won't see many changes in the starting 11 tomorrow evening. I'd also love to see JM come on against a tiring defence, as he had a superb game for the under 23s last Monday - one assist and drew 2 penalties, scoring 1 and letting 'birthday boy' Cantwell take the other!!!
I think Godfrey, Maddison and others will start on the bench like the Murphys did, especially as technically we still have a chance. There is a balance between involving them gradually and throwing them in at the deep end, which could harm their development if it all goes wrong. Their time will come though.
Am I correct in remembering that Martin was injured at the start of the season and Howson was captain? When we were playing to our potential and were top of the table? Then Martin came back, was reinstated as captain, and it has been downhill since then.
BRILLIANT memory GE and you're absolutely right. I see JM was even on the bench at Brum prior to his loan move to Aberdeen.
