I'm shocked anyone would slate Malky. our form has probably been a little erratic, going on good runs, and then poor runs, but you kind of expect that from a young team. Heads can go down and takes a little while to get out of the slump, while on the other hand, when confidence is high you get that momentum and keep on winning. Yes malky has made some mistakes, but what manager hasn't, especially so early in his career! not wanting to comapre to Fergie, but he was very close to the sack in his early Utd days and look what he's done with them, especially once they sorted out their youth policy! Personally I didn't think we would get relegated, but certainly saw a long season ahead. We are 20 points clear of the relegation zone and haven't had to look over our shoulders once... other than to see teams trying to catch us up! We have played some very good football on the way, while possibly being the only team to have won at the champions-elect... in front of the cameras!! We have had a high proportion of the team come through our academy and must certainly have one of the younger average-age squads (and 1st team) in the division! I don't believe in miracles, but what Malky has done with what's he's been given is remarkable. He's created such a good feeling within the team, squad and club, and has built a platform for next season. He's helped nurture the top goalscorer in the division, while introducing a very young Sordell who has scored 15 (?) goals in his first full season! A number of Watford palyers are now internationals because of him! He's got the most succesful British Manager on speed dial, while also creating good relationships with a number of other top managers by creating a team where top clubs want to send their players! Let's hope he can continue his good work next season, and he doesn't have to break up the squad too much! To Malky
Totally correct Kev What MM has done is nothing short of miracle working! as Northolt so correctly stated we were relegation Favourites! Our Budget was 20th in the Division, BR saw what was coming and legged it at first opportunity! More to Malky!
A silly article really--only possible because he NEARLY got us into the play-offs, against all the odds. Look at the statistics and see that for much of the season our form was indeed more like relegation form than play-off form. It was the "golden period" in December that gained us the points that ensured survival and flattered us to believe that we might aspire to the play-offs. In that period we had Taylor and Mutch, Graham and Sordell playing at their best and McGinn coming into form. That was a team that Malky built, playing the way he wanted them, and he deserves massive credit for that part of the season. A pity that was not sustainable, but it showed what a Malky team might look like, given a fair wind. Trouble is, with Taylor and Mutch gone, Graham going and McGinn injured, he now has to start all over again to build a team for next season, against an even less secure financial background. Sure, he is more experienced and some younger players have developed well--but our expectations are now higher, and this division has not got less competitive. I think we will struggle next season , and not finish as high as this season; Malky will do well to keep us in the division.
To be honest Roger - we had a couple of really good runs and a couple of really poor - but with a young side and especially after the January window we were getting tired and had not much gas left in our tank - this was a much better season than expected and play offs was never a real prospect for this season - and in case some get ahead of themselves - I doubt we should expect it next either - stability and survival are the priorities here at the moment
A good original article, agree or no, and a sensible comment from Northolt. If at the beginning of the season we had fulfilled the pediction of relegation I for one would have been upset. Struggling to a mid-table finish would have been good, but having had a flirtation with the play-offs these last few games and a mid-table is now something of a disappointment. I for one didn't follow the players' ins and outs but most have come back better/stronger than before. As to Danny Drinkwater, I am sure there may be something there but unhappily Malky hasn't drawn it out.
Ok i have read all responses and bar the 'person' who likened me to garry i have considered them ultimately inbelieve none have disproved the origional contention. To clarify i never said mm hadnt done a good job but it was well within his means to do a better one- sordel has 45apps ill acept that without checking but mostvsince jan were 5 minsnor less. Bucley inconsistent yes but why no substitute appearances? Plus take DG out and look where we would be
If you take DG out, then I expect we would be just struggling above relegation, which is where many people thought our 'natural' position would be this season! But then it's a hard argument because you don't know how well we would have performed without him! Yes, his replacement probably wouldn't have got many goals, but you'd expect him to score goals nonetheless. Think of how many chances DG actually gets... A replacement surely would have scored a decent percentage of them? Unfortunately we don't know for sure why Sordell and Buckley have been a bit in and out of the team. Malky and his team see in training what we don't. Maybe they were getting too big for their boots, maybe they were just looking lethargic and needed to be taken out. As much as Bucko has had some very good games, there have also been games where he has looked totally out of it - and how many times has he finished the full 90 minutes? 46 appearances, of which 28 are starts, (15 goals) for Sordell in his first full season is very good seeming he'd only played 15 first-team (us and Tranmere) games before this season! As for tactics. Our play is very suited to away fixtures, where we counter very fast! Unfortunately teams come to the Vic with exactly the same tactic and we don't quite have the skill to break teams down who defend deep and in numbers, and we get hit on the counter ourselves! It's probably no surprise some of the best results have come from some of the more attacking teams (Cardiff at home, QPR away). The pitch isn't very condusive to our play either, and hopefully this will be sorted over the summer! As for keeping every man back... well, I do actually agree that I'd prefer to keep one or two pacey players up, and give us an outlet when we clear the ball, as it only comes straight back. Malky's reasoning is that less goals are scored using 'stats' that back this up - but I'm sure if he does start noticing more goals conceded because of this, he will change! Malky isn't the first who uses this tactic, and he won;t be the last!! Malky is still learning, and will gain a hell of a lot from this season... I wouldn't say we missed out on the playoffs because of him, I'd say we have a great season because of him!
You cant just say "take DG out and where would we be" - any team could say that about a key player. I assume MM will do what he did before when DG goes and try to find a cost effective replacement - but while he is here you cant speculate what it would have been without him. Others may have scored to fill the gap or if we had sold him maybe we would have uncovered a "gem" of a replacement etc etc As for he could have done better - that is obvious isn't it - so could Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger - but he DID do better than we thought at the beginning of the season. To write an article which is ultimately negative is a shame for a man who has done so well and who we were afraid would be opoached from us.
