I am referring to the 8 or 9 times whilst PJ was in charge (just 12-13 season) were we took the lead... but finished the match on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. I.e. Cardiff (H) Hull (A) Brizzle (A) Derby (A) as just some examples. We make a decent start but unable to see it through and susceptible to some form of collapse and lose the match. You can argue that we have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on a couple of occasions this season as well.. and that under Mick last season when winning we'd see it out for at least a draw
Don't think you can liken us to the team under the PJ era, If we went behind in any games you could bet your life that we would lose by 4 or 5! We are stronger now mentally and in the shape and tactics of the side. I dread to think what would happen if PJ was in charge of a side that went to QPR for example, jesus it would be a massace! We need to take babysteps in building a side, for me we are ahead of schedule in the fact that we have been competative in every single game this season, that is something we haven't had in years.
I am nothing if not fair I also think it's fair to say that Mick is suffering from the fact that overachieved and set such high standards last season when he kept us up. Keeping up that level of consistency was always going to be tough.. let alone improve on it
The fact remains that we are sitting in a far healthier league position this year than when he came through the door last year.
I've been saying that for ages, all managers do it. It just frustrates me that everyone has said he's a round peg in a round hole man when actually he's not
I knew what he was talking about, I always thought you had trouble with understanding context sometimes
Think we should be pretty content at where we are atm, as people have said it's about gradual improvement, evolution not revolution but that doesn't mean we can't have a little winge about things if it's justified. Plus as I've said I think Mick is more capable than he shows
Even you might grudgingly agree that we are a completely different side now to the one that MM inherited a year ago! We are far more competitive now and we aren't shipping in goals at the same alarming rate as we used to! We will not be challenging for the promotion spots this season nor will we be in danger of going down. A season of solid stability and a top 10 finish this year will be a good achievement!
That's all true Warky. It's a shame we were in such a dire situation when McCarthy came in or we might have had a shot at promotion last season. I just feel with another 10% from somewhere we could have done a lot better this year. We definitely haven't made the most of what we have. Gerken coming out for their goal was truly shocking and that's the kind of thing we have to cut out to pick up those extra points to challenge for the play offs next season regardless of strengthening. If we can sign up Hunt and right back in January and then another attacking midfielder, wide player and forward next Summer AND cut the mistakes out we could be the best side in the division next year and would certainly be in the play off mix. We badly need that right back though, it's ridiculous at the moment.
Yorkie we have badly needed a Right Back for the last 5 years! I agree with your sentiments but I dont think Evans will open up the purse strings this season! Its all about FFP dont you know!
OK, we have a lack of cash and I have no idea how much Tunnicliffe is on, if we are contributing to his wages at all, but considering I see nothing in him you cant get from Skuse, Hyam, Tabb etc then surely it can not be beyond the realms of belief to a) get shot of Tunnicliffe and use said wages for a RB or b) find a RB who we can get for a next to nothing wages contribution. I thought we had good links with Spurs and they sign 75 players every season so they must have a decent youngster needing opportunities. The same can be said for the moneybags like Chelsea and Man City. Ideally I dont want to blood in other teams players but if we have 2 or 3 (max) in the squad then I cant see the harm. Take away Cresswell and none of the wide players (fb's & wingers) can actually do anything creative. Hunt needs to come into the midfield for me if we stick with 442. Alternatively just change the bloody shape. we do play 3 central defenders, 3 central midfielders, 2 strikers and no natural wide midfielders and 1 attacking fullback. That seems to shout 3-5-2 wingbacks to me. We must be the only professional football club who can go 4 bloody seasons without a RB. Im sure even the poorest of none league sides would move to address this issues after 1 or 2 transfer windows. Not that Im holding MM responsible for the totally ****e way this club has been run since the ME takeover but im really hoping this is near the top of his 'to do' list.
don't worry JWM it was a tongue in cheek comment and yes I agree, a MM is nothing like a PJ team which is in the main positive, although I wish from time to time he would show some of those traits and be a bit more gungho.
I still think considering we are in a 'transition' season (about the 4th consecutive one) we should give Hewitt a go, don't think Chambers has been any better than him and the boy does look promising. Think we should've probably signed a new more experienced RB though even someone like David Wright, just to act as cover/competition and give a helping hand to the boy. Agree about Tunnicliffe, I think he's probably a little better than what we've got but doesn't offer a great deal of difference, if we're gonna get a CM at least go abit more varied. I keep thinking about priority positions we need to strengthen and I go to each position saying yes we need to strengthen there each time bar CB but then we probs if we're being picky do with 1 more there, although I geuss Mings can play there.
Yes but it's very simple, that's what we need to do compete and if Mick isn't allowed to strengthen the best we will ever do is be in the mix for the play offs.
Financial fair play, essentially with the exclusion of things like Youth facilities you can only spend what you earn.
