So what is getting it right for you? Do you think they got it right when we got promoted last season?
Personally I think they got it wrong. I don’t think Martin outperformed the quality of squad we had and it was the wrong kind of football for a team like ours to play in the prem.
It’s such fine margins now. They got it right, then got it wrong by leaking too hard into the RM way, and letting him sign up those loanees which ate up most of our budget, with no DoF style oversight.
For me they weren’t ruthless enough. I know sounds tough but RM should have gone a lot earlier and, as has been said many times, they should have waited to extend his contract until they saw how he coped with the PL. Biggest mistake though was the player recruitment. They got that totally wrong and I hope they learn this time that we need quality not quantity.
Why are people talking about "signing the loanees" as if it was a bad thing. THB was an obligation, we wouldn't have been able to loan him without that and may not have gone up without him. Downes was probably our best player last season. Yes he has struggled this season, but who hasn't? We could either sell and get most of the £15m he cost back, or if we get a new manager he could be just as good next season. Fraser cost bugger all so isn't really an issue.
Came on a free transfer completed 1st Jan after signing a pre contract agreement. Current value according to Transfermarkt €3.5m but looks worth a good deal more given his performances in a Saints shirt.
No it isn't, it's the full story of a player who's transfer was completed this window. If there was no fee then other costs would have made the move. Similar the loanees, they don't come without a financial outlay.
I think the issue with the Burnley game was that we played Bednarek. Just too many CBs. Should have played Taylor instead. If we do that against Bournemouth surely we will win. Nobody can withstand the power of 5 full backs. If only Larios existed outside the bounds of the medical room we'd be pushing for Europe.
Even longer still! Try it, it's really easy. Repeat after me...... Lincoln, you sexy bastard, You Were Right
I didn't mind the theory of Bree and Welington being selected for two of the three CB roles. I assumed it was about selecting players who would be playing on their preferred foot/side and would be comfortable with stepping into midfield. (I still don't agree with setting up with a back three - but if that's what Juric insists on, then I didn't think the idea was awful.) But what I didn't expect, nor understand, was having a midfielder - usually Aribo - constantly dropping into the back three to cover for when one of those players duly did step forward into midfield. What was the point? So incredibly negative.
Yep it’s ****ing stupid. You just end up with your defenders being the highest players up the pitch, unable to create anything. For all his faults at least Aribo is quite good in the 10 role. And this moron of a manager has him playing as a holding midfielder switching into a centre back. Absolutely comical. Why do we keep having to appoint utter clowns?