Sad news to report. Britney is pausing her career. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46764850
Agree Nuggets with exception of Bart who, until this confidence sapping season and defense demoralising displays in front if him, he has been outstanding and one of perhaps 2 or 3 genuine Prem quality players. Wonder how long he will stay tbh.
Sorry fellas however you cut this cake, based on all the errors made to date by ME, Hurst and the jan signings, I just think we’re fcukd. I don’t think we have the nucleus of a good side. I think the best senior players we have now (huwys, Skuse etc) were the poorest parts of a plain average side that was studded with some decent players (Celina, Waghorn etc) and coupled with a dull, pragmatic style that did the job of avoiding relegation. PL is right; we needed 6 more players and 6 pretty damn good ones. But seemingly it ain’t gonna happen. The severe limitations of the players we have are the outcome of years of ‘eeking it out’ with an owner who seems to have no desire to drive the club forward. I don’t understand why he is a football club owner. Like super yachts, they make no financial sense and cost a lot. If u don’t like that, don’t buy one. I’m so sad and hacked off about this. I accept PLs record is poor but in the context of taking over the reigns of a team already adrift is not surprising. There’s no genuine well of untapped ability lurking in our squad so I’m not surprised. I hope we keep hold of him because I think hes a birn winner, clued up and knows how to run a team and coach players. In league 1 we’re going to need those qualities big time.
Agreed, I don’t think we have a good nucleus of a side here. I don’t think we have a good squad at all. Too many holes, no stand out quality players, and not enough depth. Too much rubbish - from old pros on the wrong side of 30 to several lower league players who have clearly not made the step up. Not enough of investment, clearly demonstrated by the fact our owner has made a profit on every transfer window since early the 2010s. It’s no surprise we are where we are. It was bound to happen eventually, regardless of the manager. The owner is, and has been, the issue.
If Lambert can bring in quality this transfer window and his signings make a noticeable difference, that would be a good sign. If we start getting results and putting in good performances, and we come close to surviving (or if we somehow manage to survive) I’d like him to be in charge of the rebuild job in the summer. If Lambert’s signings are largely unsuccessful and if results continue to disappoint, that’s unacceptable. If we get relegated with a whimper and a low points tally, then we’re best off waving goodbye to him, rolling the dice again, and looking for a completely fresh start in League One.
Interesting point; I’m not sure I agree we’d be better off with a clean slate as I can’t imagine who we could hire in L1 that would be better than PL. some relegations are more undignified than others so depending on that you may well be right nuggets. But assuming we slide down largely due to a poor group of players unable to compete at this level and he wants to stay with us I’d think we should keep hold of him. I’m mindful this thread is about jan transfers not ‘what do we do if/when we’re telegated’ So perhaps we need a new thread to discuss our options in this respect. I’m of the view you could put any manager in the world in charge and we could stillfinish bottom. Back to signings; I don’t really think PLs signings in this window are a reflection of him and his judgement of who is a good football player but more a reflection of ITFC being a bottom of the table side paying lower than average wages, a reflection of who is available for transfer or loan, of which who wants to come to us and who can we genuinely afford (even if we disregard MEs reluctance to pay much) that probably leaves a very short list of players to choose from. But virtually anyone is better than no one right now given what we’ve got. I hope we get Gestede he’s quality. But without a gritty midfielder, Celina-esque winger and 3 good defenders it won’t be enough. I have no idea who is available but I would imagine that applying the limitations listed above almost anyone any good ain’t gonna be on on our radar. So taking a punt on players like Keane (who must have something going for him being ex Man U...?) is where we’re at I’m afraid and maybe they are only coming because we’ve got a reputable manager in PL at the helm. I doubt PH could attract a whore in a brothel let alone anyone decent to join our fight if he were still in charge now.
If we get even close to staying up, even getting to 40 points, that would take a massive upturn in form in the remaining 20 matches so if that happens then there will be a massive buzz and rightly he should stay on. I can’t see it though. It is a reflection on Lambert that he took the job knowing the state of play and has done so poorly. It’s like taking on a job in a canteen with a slightly dodgy oven and cheap ingredients and then complaining that you didn’t get a Michelin star.
From my viewpoint, in the championship if you’re going to have naff all budget, the best chance of doing anything is direct route one rubbish ala Mick. That isn’t to say it’s not possible to do say a Brentford/ others either - difficult one really! I’m with Nuggets, if it’s a low points total of say 26 / 28 /31 Lambert can go and we can start again as far as I’m concerned. He has to at least show a bit of fight on the pitch, not just handle the media well. His results to date are awful and must improve. Starting today. Coyb.
Don’t see Gestede happening, he’s on over 40k p.w and has scored 13 goals since the 2014/15 season which is poor. That said, he’s the type we maybe need with strength height experience but would be surprised!
Problem is...half of you numpties are wanting great signings and an upturn in form but you, plainly, fail to see that in the position we are in.....it would be a miracle to attract said players! So when we don't sign the quality needed and probably don't improve much....you want PL sacked. The guys hands are tied, he will need to get the absolute best out of the dross he has at his disposal. He should at least be given chance to rebuild, we are most likely going down, give him the summer to bring in what he thinks we need and then see where we are at Xmas!!
It makes sod all difference what we do in the transfer window now. There was more than enough in the squad to draw a few more and win a few matches and keep us in the race until January, not to lose nearly every game. Let’s not waste another year with the wrong manager like we did with Mick.
We need to give someone two or three years to sort out that mess, not one window and two months. I don’t like Lambert and so far he’s made a total and utter pig’s ear of it, so let’s not have it be him. Worse than sacking Lambert now would be to make a change later in the season or in the summer. At least someone could be coming in to get a feel for things and finish on a high.
#totalcontradiction You need to give someone 2 to 3 years to sort out the mess. Lambert needs to be sacked now, after a few months! What a Numpty!
Not a contradiction at all. Lambert is the last person I would have appointed. With his track record you could see it unfolding this way an absolute mile off.
