If we go down I’d say we’d lose around 5-6 players. Nobody would want at least half of the first team
Yes because everything at the end of last season was going right. But then Bielsa started being stubborn and refused more players. I am willing to bet with a new coach we would be fitter and have less injuries.
Yes we were getting loan offers from Championship clubs for many of the U23s and I’d keep Bielsa if we went down. Struijk and Cresswell would be an awesome pairing in the Championship, Cooper is getting older, he’d not go anywhere so keep him for his experience. Then we’d have Hjelde and Drameh, our defence is virtually sorted. Ayling would probably remain and I guess we’d lose Koch and Llorente possibly Firpo but if we did keep him (Firpo) maybe a season at Championship level would do him good. Forshaw would stay as would Dallas and Klich, throw in Bate and Summerville and we have a base to build on. Phillips, James and Raphinha would all depart, if we did keep James it would be great. Roberts needs offloading, Rodrigo would go, Bamford might move on but with Gelhardt and Greenwood we have the building blocks. We’d probably need a new Keeper but it’s not inconceivable we’d go straight back up and look stronger from the off next time around. The major difference if we went straight back up, I’d be thanking Bielsa for two promotions but it’s time for a new chapter
I actually woke up this morning expecting to see him sacked.. must have dreamt that, albeit I’m conflicted on either side!
I bet there are huge boardroom meetings taking place today and the 49ers will almost certainly be putting pressure on.
Nope.....still can't shake that feeling of utter despondency. I appreciate what Bielsa has done for the club in getting us to where we were last season. This season seems to have been a step too far not aided by the injuries to crucial players but he has to take a fair share of the blame due to his reluctance to recruit a bigger squad, unwillingness to change tactics and his favouritism to certain players. No point changing managers now so 13 games to try and redeem his reputation but I don't think we can go any further with Bielsa. I don't want him to be sacked but rather see out his contract and leave at the end of it on his terms. I will still hold him in high regard even if we go down this season.
Thankfully I was out on a work drink and missed it but it’s hard to think of three teams playing worse than us at the moment.
Looking at the coming fixtures I would say both Burnley and Newcastle are more likely to pick up points than us - it makes depressing reading.
I have no confidence we will survive. We just cannot seem to defend. You could argue, that maybe some underrate the influence of Liam Cooper in the defence.
