It’s the easiest thing in the world to react after things turn sour. When things look like they’re working and are delivering positive results as we had last season it is more difficult to see potential problems. I forgive the club for sticking by its methods this season given the performances last season (except for the obvious striker situation) However, I also expect a recognition that things need to change a little bit from now on. I’d be happy with them getting rid of the 30+ year olds but they should then be replaced with maybe 25/26 year olds still young enough to be given a decent contract but with enough experience to go replace the experience that’s left. All in my opinion of course but this is where I could see tweaks being made without leaving us exposed to having no experience in the squad.
I think this is where players like Callum Styles come in. I know he's still only 23 or so but he's played well over 100 times in the Championship and has international experience. He's definitely more than ready to play at this level but is still relatively young and hasn't cost a huge amount.
It's not people thinking we are in a good place, it's that we are in a better place and overall improving.
It all boils down to Einstein's theory of football relativity. Are we in a good place compared to Stoke and Birmingham, I'd say yes ... ... in comparison to Leicester and Leeds, I'd say no. I'd like us to be competing with Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal in my lifetime but I'm a realist and don't believe it'll happen, if ever.
I think you’re right, there just hasn’t been enough of it. I think the spine of the team should be like this. GK, CD, CM, CF.
No idea if this is the experience coming in but a light blue helicopter is just landing at the academy.
More likely the new manager, they've been interviewing this week ... ... I messaged a couple of people, on here this week, so I'm hopeful. I'm not ITK BTW, just passed on something I was told.
Not going to ask for names etc but all with a view to be appointed after the season or a chance they could come in immediately? Having them at the sheff wed game in the stands could be a canny end to the campaign shows intent and ready to go straight away in the summer
Dodds has effectively ruled himself out of the running so there's no reason why not. The club won't risk apathy, with the fans, after Beale so I expect a name people will feel pleased with.
I feel like a clean slate in the summer rather than the potential to finish the season, and not turn around our form, is risking added baggage unnecessarily. The club, for all its faults is run by smart people who will surely recognise this.
I see this is the perfect chance for a big pre-season with experiments on starting elevenses, tactics, subs etc ... ... like a massive pre-season friendly. I honestly don't think the club will hang around if they find tge right man.
Sure. So long as you look at the other side of the coin, if the new manager extends our long winless streak, it will mean he must start the new season well or people will be on his back. I think this comes down to risk/reward and impulse control.
Say for arguments sake that this is an interview for the new head coach and I'm not doubting you in any way Smug (just playing devil's advocate) it would make sense to get someone in to check the facilities, players (both at the club and the ones we might want to sign) and get his opinion on it all. The successful candidate could then start to draw up plans for next season with KS so that we can hit the ground running in the close season and hopefully have some input into the rest of this season but with Dodds taking the lead
I don't think they'll expect that to happen tbh ... ... and the longer Dodds continues the more morale may suffer. If they believe he's the right man for the job get him in now imo.
They never do. When you support Sunderland for a while, you end up experiencing all sorts of things, yet people never remember.
