Very funny that during CSKA times Leo was critizised a lot (and harsh too) exactly for his defensive mind, counterattacking soccer and approach to not concede goals above all and before all. Especially when we played in Champions league against such teams as Bayern, Real, Man UTD, Man City and so on.
To me it's like the players aren't getting confidence from him or aren't playing for him enough. Sometimes the team put in stinkers under Bruce too, but the good days are quite rare now. The Chelsea loans that were brought in with him just haven't worked, it's a very big gamble putting inexperienced players in such vital positions.
It is strange, but the league table doesn't lie, we are just conceding goals for fun. Partly of cause due to the hand he has been dealt, but the Chelsea boys were his choice I guess, and they just have been too raw to survive in the championship. I still feel that with the players he has we should be doing better.
I don't think the Chelsea kids were his choice, but rather the only players they would loan out to us. They wanted to give us more but couldn't bring in enough.
I guess we will never know, but whoever made the decision it hasn't worked. I feel very sorry for him, but have to say with his team selection and substitutes at time they were hard to understand.
Agreed he could have done it better with current players. No excuses if there are no points. Though to be honest two last games were not so awful as i got it, looks like things are improving, but not so fast as it's required. Table position is holding like swamp or sand. There is no time since yesterday.
I'm sure streams will be available even if Leo will be replaced. No worries. But i still hope he has some more time to learn something new and show his true skill, i think his ability is hidden for now. Today i've seen some amazing attacks and combination movements i loved a lot, but no goals in right moments sadly.
At 3.39am UK time tonight I received an email from the club previewing the upcoming match against Millwall. Impressive.
Really? Do you think this is a strong squad? I think it's the weakest squad we've had for many years. Certainly worse than the team that got promoted last time around or the one relegated last season even. The policy of selling anyone and everyone we receive an offer for and bringing in cheap replacements may have made us very profitable but it's not improved the players quality.
I personally don't think that Slut has had any real input into staff. Irvine, NO. Dicko, NO, Kingsley, NO. Stewart probably not though I think he is a player. The Chelsea boys probably not his first choices. Then add an ageing Dawson and an I don't want to play Groswicki. Then mix in injuries to Abel, long term ones of Mason who perhaps he hoped might be back by now and the same with Moses. Leaves you with an excellent Macgregor, a Jekyll Meyler, a one footed Bowen (I wish he had two feet) Campbell and Diomande. NO manager would have sorted it in such a short period.
I forgot to add... no Assistant until a month ago and a Director of Recruitment sacked at every other club he's been to above him. DAMNING
you're right about Meyler being hit and miss - he hits the ball and it misses its target - earlier in the season, Slutsky didn't fancy playing Meyler but the crowd bayed for his inclusion, apparently first name on the team sheet - I will criticise him totally for reacting to such 'popular opinion' - Forest 3 2, Boro 3 1, Sheff U 4 1, he didn't start against Barnsley 1 0 and he didn't start against Ipswich, 2 1 when he appeared and in his 9 minutes they equalised and he didn't start last night 0 0 - he has one of the worst pass success rates in the division - our midfield was much better last night and with Evandro and Larsson coming back I suspect he'll be keeping the bench warm for some time as a separate point whatever happened to Campbell last night - shocking performance
I worry that the Allams might mistakenly see Adkins as a Bruce 2.0. Has history of getting promoted to the PL and keeping a team in the division but crucially... Will, presumably, be a 'cheap' and obtainable option. In fairness, by hook or by crook, the Allams have a decent record in managerial appointments - but, things are different now.
I understand your argument and it's a valid one, but I think this applied more to Phelan last season and hardly anyone seemed to have any sympathy for him. If anything this squad, for the Championship at least, isn't as bad, and I can see a new manager improving us (although of course, to get anywhere near promotion he'd need backing properly).