Good to see you guys are giving him a bit more time now. He is an attacking manager and from reading his articles during the 2006 World Cup(for The Times, I think) he has a very good understanding of Brazilian footballing philosophies. It's very early days still and he's got some excellent players to play the kind of football he wants but it's not quite there yet and I think in central midfield they're still adapting. He's also happy to give chances to younger players, at Spurs he gave a very young Lennon the chances and then refused to drop him when the first choice winger was back to fitness. There was also Huddlestone, Benny, Carrick, etc but I think you guys have already seen him bring in Frei, that keeper and a couple of others. By the start of next season I'd expect Jol to have the kind of squad he wants, it's very difficult to change what was a team set up for cautious football, in just 1/2 transfer windows.
Sound reasoning Yid, I agree despite his odd substitution policies but then again the beloved Sir Roy was the same!
great artcle demps, you are spot on with your analysis. it is exciting to see that jol's ideas are beginning to showw their worth. completely agree about the full back issue as well, if we are to achieve our full potential under this system we will need our full backs to overlap and draw the oppos full backs out. We are beginning to look like a team who is both understanding and enjoying their football. I have mentionned before that it is very similar to he way barcelona play, albeit alongway off of their quality. But it is a start, some fit full backs and an intelligent striker and it will be interesting to see the results. We have been linked with a move for an ex barcalona striker, maxi lopez, heard mixed reports about him, but he may suit our style of play and understand what is needed of him. If we ould get nathaniel clyne from palace as well i would be a happy man, possible exchange for aj if they could afford his wages. Coyw
If he said that then I take back what I said. Maybe he'll learn for the future and we are looking positive for the future, because I believe he is good with signing players. We all know what Dembele is capable of, we knew it last season. I was a constant defender of him last season. The fact he has stayed injury free this season is more of a decider in my opinion. He has also now fully settled I think.
