Another window closes, and for a change we didn't go backwards as we swapped one striker for another and got a few quid, plus brought in another striker who may or may not be decent. We did however get a good defensive player (On paper) in Warnock Junior. Warnock senior has more or less rebuilt this squad in the last few months, but performances have been lacking (Although Saturday was decent) many fans are now calling for Warnock to go and I can see why. My feeling is, that if Grayson were here with this squad we would be higher in the league, and if Macca was here we would be challenging for auto. This is the best team we've had for ages and although we've had our best players flogged from underneath us over the last few seasons, this squad looks decent.
I often agree with you. But I think you are underrating NW. Look at what Cardiff are doing, 10 points clear in this league - they are gritty and ugly and winning. Grayson in particular seemed to have teams that played prettily but had no steel in them. Macca's teams could not defend (despite having the help of the best defensive coach in the world, in Steve Staunton ) If we did not have NW, we would not have this squad. SG brought in mainly a pile of crap. Macca brought in some very good players, but seemed not to be able to address (or recognise?) how much we needed improvement in the defense. There's a fine line between mediocrity and success, especially in this league. A few players (maybe just a couple) can turn a mid table squad into a top 6 squad or better. My feeling is we are still short but lets see what NW can do with this lot.
If Grayson had been in charge and Bates at the helm during January all hell would have broken out. I am quite amazed that Becchio has been sold and everyone has remained very calm about it. Becchio our 10th leading scorer of all time, five years with us and treated like crap and forced into a corner.
2020 I hear what you're saying but think Grayson was given fook all by Bates and never had a say in who was sold from underneath him. Grayson was always trying to put on a united face every time Bates stopped him from signing anyone. I always revert back to the season when we were flying in the top 6 all season and reached 2nd just before Xmas. Grayson came out and stated we would be bringing in 2 or 3 new faces before the Swansea game. never happened and we were battered, and then all down hill for the rest of the season. I really think that if Grayson had this side we have now, we would be better and playing better football. Even Grayson should be able to rely on these defenders, but also Warnock doesn't play pretty football which is ok if you are getting results, but when we don't play well, and don't get results you have to ask if the manager's tactics are working. They haven't worked yet, but could going forward now. I think if we don't get a big improvement now up to the end of the season, it makes no difference how strong our squad is, it has to be down to the manager. I think Warnock is wanting another season, so he needs to start getting good results or next season will be just as bad. The fans are losing faith in him.
Doc, you'll never get me defending Bates lack of investment, I was reacting to the statement we'd be better off under SG On NW, I actually quite like the grittyness he's added. The great leeds teams, notably the first one, always had that. They also had immense skills too, I agree. But if you have the grittyness you have something to build on. A Revie quote was something like Giles & Bremner can risk things and risk losing the ball, because Hunter and Charlton just get it back and let them have another go. On SG, found wanting at Hudders. Could not come up with a style of play that gave season long sustainable performances - and notably his defences always seem to be poor. l am not sure the current players would just deliver a great defence for him, because they are good. I think the manager has an influence. For example, always surprised by how bad Frazer R was under SG, yet good enough to hold a regular first team place when S'ton got promoted. I think SG was a part of the problem, not a solution thwarted by KB (though I am sure we could rely in Ken to do his bit ) Anyway we've got NW, and like you I would not be suprised to see him here next season. He just might get us up, too - more likely next season than this, and depending just how Batesian GFH turn out to be.
Grayson had money and players at uddersfield and look what happened to him. Macca may have done better with G.Graham as the defensive coach, we'll never know. Bates has nearly gone(well as gone as he'll ever be) so it'll be interesting to see who we turn on next. I don't think Becchio was treated badly, his head was turned and the club wasn't going to be bullied paying him a silly wage. Becchio could have at least stayed till end of the season, then fecked off. I also don't want to hear, short career, premier higher standard, etc etc etc
Irish I agree with that mate as becchio had just been given a good contract recently, which still had 18-months to run. He thought he could earn more elsewhere because of the number of clubs interested in him, and his agent then tried to get more cash out of us. I actually think Morison will be better than Luciano, although only in this league. I can't see Luciano doing better than Holt down sarf.
This defence with the attack that Grayson built out of Becchio, Snodgrass, Gradel and Howson, we'd be clear of Cardiff by now.
I'd say youre right. I'm curious about one thing. When Warnock joined, it was an eighteen month thing and open ended that he could leave if or when he wants. With about four months left, why is there no statement from anyone saying what are the plans for the summer. You would imagine his mind would be more or less made up by now or if a successor is being lined up
You know yourself Eire, that we the supporters will be the last to know anything. I'm naively hoping that our new owners have loads of money for good summer signings and are not willing to give Warnock money to waste, but are looking to bring a new man in, to start a fresh.
GFH are an investment bank, they use other peoples money to invest and make more money, they have to do so under strict laws, no way will they have millions unless the club makes it first. In all honesty apart from probably Bates himself and the shoddy lot who purchased Forest we couldn't have got much worse when it comes to being purchased.
I would go as far as to say, only reason anyone is in any way happy with gfh is because bates was so bad. Anything an improvement
I did say naively. I haven't a clue about GFH and how they work, but basically you're saying they're a bunch of bankers..
I agree with Eireleeds anything seems better than Bates but this lot are not the saviours we had hoped for, the owners to return the good times back, they are just interim owners here to make a quick buck.
I'm not sure Becchio was really forced into a corner. Talk is we offered him somewhere between £20k and £25k, and while I'm not what he gets at Norwich (apart from PL football) apparently whichever Turkish club was in for him offered him £45k, that's something we simply can't stretch to and this time I think it was best to cut our losses and get in a player who's head would be in the right place. I love Beccs and I hope he does well, but this time I truly believe he wanted to go, and fair play with his age and what was being offered, this is probably going to be his last major contract.
Really? I'll reiterate that I think it's incredibly sad that people have forgotten everything Bates did wrong with our club and rush to condemn owners who are doing many things right just because they didn't spend a load of money. Sickening when you consider what Bates put us through in every way.
Yes I believe so I am not doubting GFH are better than Bates but they won't be the saviours who return us to premier league football. January was the icing on the cake for me, nobody will convince me that those that joined were Warnocks number one targets and going back to Becchio, he was sold to provide funds.
