OK - barring mathematically bizarre happenings that point sees us safe for another season in the Premiership. What now though? Gracia has not exactly proved himself as a manager for us yet. But is there anybody out there who would be better - who would come to us? With a pre-season for training and organisation; with a return to fitness of our whole squad; and with a few decent changes of player we have a fair Premiership squad of players. It would be good to have a manager who is not new to the club and wanting to bring in his own backroom boys and so on. Will the Pozzos see it that way or has Gracia failed to impress and convinced them they need change again?
Difficult one to call Leo.. I think tactically get got it wrong at Huddersfield.. First half of the Palace game he got it right.. But we could not sustain it in the second. We still have not proven ourselves as a Premier league team.. so are really starting again.. I am concerned.... Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk
The last three games will be telling. If we get the win against Newcastle and put in decent performances against Spurs and Man Utd then I think he will be given the nod. 40+ points and a goal difference of not worse than -20 and I think that will do nicely given where we are now. If we fold at Spurs like last season, do another Liverpool back in the NW and fail to put in a shift against Newcastle then the board have got some serious thinking to do. Another frustrating season, all the same.
. What now though? Gracia has not exactly proved himself as a manager for us yet. But is there anybody out there who would be better - who would come to us? Wenger? He wouldn't even have to move house.
I understand why the changes have been made but do wonder how many more overseas managers would what to bring their family over for 6 months or so but then I guess the money is good and well they can always say they never had a chance so their reputation stays intact. TBH we won't do a lot better unless we really improve in certain areas and actually ensure we have a fully fit squad for most of the season - now of course the Chalobah injury was unlucky but generally the medical team seems to have been a bit of a disaster. Another issue with changing the manager so often is that different players fall out with different managers. Okaka was loved by Walter for example but never used by Silva - but Richarlison loved him. Capoue seems to be a Gracia favourite now - but he has fallen out with Gomes it seems.
Southampton have Bournemouth at home, Everton & Swansea away and City at home who by then will have smashed all records and be thinking of the World cup. Potentialy they can get three points more than we have now and that would guarantee them probably a better goal difference. We could still be looking at Championship football next season and then the question would be how many of our so called stars would look to jump ship? I think I will keep my powder dry until I know mathmactically which division we will be in for sure.
If we stay up we need a bit of a quality at the back and up top. Two decent signings would do it. Board have said it´ll be a quiet summer mind. I wonder if the manager will stay.
To many dreadful performances, results & bizarre team selections have somewhat deflated my enthusiasm this season. Its hard to be positive when you consider we still are not safe having picked up just two from the last eighteen points on offer.
If you look at the other games then for Southampton to stay up others fail to get enough points. It would take a miracle to relegate us now. But it is not a mathemetical certainty. To go down. Stoke have to win all three. Away to Liverpool and Swansea and home to Palace. Not going to happen. Southampton have to get 3 wins away to Swansea and Everton and home to Bournemouth and Man City. Not going to happen. If both those DID happen Swansea would have two other games and have to win both - home to Chelsea and away to Bournemouth. Unlikely but possible. Huddersfield would have to get at least three points from home to Everton and Arsenal and away to Chelsea and Man City. Doubtful. Brighton have to get at least two draws from away to Liverpool, Man City and Burnley and home to Man U. Difficult. And if all those happen it leaves Bournemouth (having lost to the other relegation teams) to get a point away to Burnley. So if you believe ALL of the above can happen and that Watford do not pick up a stray point then you should be getting down to the bookies as you clearly can win a lot of money.
I think that if you look at their recent form, Udinese are in greater danger of going down than we are. If that does happen, will that affect what decisions are made for us?
It's not anything less than utterly disappointing, granted, but it's not complete disaster either. That said, I've been to 7 away games this season and have tix to Spurs and Utd... one point is all we have from those seven, WBA. I know all too well how poor it's been.
Defensively there for the taking eh.... mind you on Saturday with kabasele and cathcart we looked a lot better.. Whatever happens a more attacking game is more preferable as TD really makes little impact on his own up front...
There was an 'ITK' on Twitter last night saying his source says Gracia will be gone in the summer - that Gracia wants to go back to Spain, that he feels he did what he came in to do and that there is a clause in the contract to go after 6 months. Not one for these people but has mentioned a few other things before - Capoue new deal, Watson going to Forest and the Andre Gray deal. It would hardly be surprising if he went - but if he does... who now? There doesn't need any major rebuilding, just some strengthening and trimming of the squad. No doubt they have someone in their minds already if Gracia is going... and has probably been approached already!
I would not blame him if he decided to walk away. He now knows how difficult the job is and can claim to have kept Watford in the Prem. If he stays it is a risk. I don't think fans will mind either way.
