From what I've read, Rosenior gets as much out of him as any manager ever has. You only have to look at the way Tufan ran over to him when he scored. So if Rosenior isn't getting the best out of him, I very much doubt anyone would.
Personally whilst we play some very competent controlled football we seem to lack the speed of movement and dynamism of other teams , When Boro got near our box they had overlappers and movers giving them options , City struggled to cope and had to defend under panic - hence their first goal . Watched the Mackems they have Roberts a very good winger and two attackers who will break quick - we will have our hands full. I think we are just light of being strong enough , but we are technically good enough . Had Jaden played the other night we we could have won much more comfortably .
Players I’d definitely keep (or buy) if we went up: Philogene Delap Tufan Traore Morton Connolly Greaves Jones Slater Can hold their own in the Championship: Coyle Ingram Vinagre McLoughlin Christie Seri (would have been in above last season) Twine Lokilo Lots of players I’ve missed show glimpses of quality/or lots of potential (Vaughan, for example). I think this is more than enough for a minimum top 6 expectation. Added to that, a winger or two in January to help matters.
I don’t think your list is far off but at the moment, we’re a few injuries away from being fairly average. I’ve said this elsewhere, but feel it would be far too early in the project to go up. Foundations need to be strong. Some say grab the opportunity when you can, but long term that can do more harm than good. Target 24/25 season.
I don’t think I could cope with going into the playoffs getting to Wembley and losing the final, this season is going to be very difficult with Saints, L**ds, West Brom Sunderland potentially in there
Difficult one isn't it, as I'd personally rather go us as play off winners then go up second, Purley down to how great a day a play off win is.... But like you, not sure I'd could take losing a final.
With that at least we had the unprecedented achievement of making the final, and also Europe to look forward to, which softened the blow. Losing a playoff final must be immensely gutting, because your entire season falls apart in that one game, and often teams don't recover from it. Bristol City for example still haven't ever reached the same level again since we beat them in 2008.
Can't think of anything much worse (in football) than losing to Leeds in the play off final. I'm sort of hoping they catch Ipswich so that if we do get into the play offs we don't have the prospect of playing them, or of course I'd be even happier if they slumped out of the top 6 (but that ain't gonna happen).
@Sir Cheshire Ben pre game at an Australian match. I regret that this was a low quality offering but I was out West.. Akin to popping over to Donny for a meal.
Granted, they clearly seem to have a good relationship. I just think we should somehow be getting more out of him. He's still only 28. He's had 65 caps for Turkey which shows what quality & experience he has. Maybe we finally see more than cameos going forward?
I think we've been round the Tufan cycle plenty of times now. He doesn't do enough, often enough to be a regular starter. We know he's a brilliant finisher and he showed that again at Boro, but the rest of his game isn't at the same level. I think we'll be unchanged tomorrow.
I'd always take automatic promotion. Sit back, relax, and lets the dogs fight out the play offs. Play Offs are too anxious and time consuming to enjoy: the days/weeks worrying about it. How much else is lost? Work/family/social stuff, not to mention the financial cost of it all. Derby at home last time: 3-0 up from leg 1 turned into an absolute nightmare. Further, we utterly schooled Wednesday but it didn't feel enjoyable at the time for me, even in hindsight. Just sheer terror that I'd see 50k of them celebrating. In hindsight it's just useful as a tool to beat them with now. All that time sweating, thinking, worrying - nah, **** that. Plus, we're surely due a final defeat now. Second place home and hosed for me. Feet up and plan for the PL.
Fair points. I guess it depends which way you look at it. I do think the amount of money you gain from just being in the Premier League for one season would be just as beneficial to help invest in those foundations. Also, Acun clearly has money behind him and maybe we have been limited due to financial fair play in this league so far?
The FA Cup loss hurt but was also wrapped in a lot of pride having just been there in the first place AND giving Arsenal a bloody nose whilst we were at it. I never really expected to win in the first place to be honest. The play offs are different. We can beat any side in this league on our day. I’d half expect to win a final.
