It's an oversimplification, but personally I think there's quite a bit of truth in it. Obviously you place players of any quality in an overall system. But if the system is too rigid you are not going to get the best from creative and highly skilled players.
It's a tot topic Dave, and one that is unlikely to go away, unless one of two things happen I'm afraid To be fair, whoever comes and goes, it is the manager that makes the team what they are (ultimately), so near impossible to not include personal feelings about the 'head cheese' who is 'creating/destroying (delete as applicable to your mindset ) the team.
I know what you're saying Thai, but every single thread? If it was posters from another board they would be banned for hijacking every thread! On another matter, I've bought a couple of bottles of Chang for the match, what's it like, any idea?
It's a weak and cheap version version of Leo (which as you know am partial to on match days ). Thai's drink lots of it, because it is one of cheapest beers available. I have tried it, but it gives me headaches (even in small quantities 3, or 4 bottles) If you want a decent Asian beer though, get 'Tiger'. A bit more expensive (even out here) but is really good
I've had Tiger and agree it's very nice, I'm working my way through all of Tesco's foreign beers, not found a poor one yet!
Today's the day then You'll need to give me your verdict If you see it next time you visit Tesco - get Archa (but only one to sample). That is the real cheap one here. I have not tried it do not intend to, as I am wary of dirt cheap anything.
OK, I apologise. I agree with you - the whole thing has got a bit boring now and none of us has anything new to say. I will try my best to keep off the topic in future. But it's not just our board - go to any of the Norwich boards around and they are all the same. Hughton in/Hughton out. It's the only game in town.
I'm sure you are right about all the other boards VC, the annoying thing is, a lot of potentially interesting threads get derailed into a slanging match. I'm as upset about our position as anyone else, I just believe the blame has to be shared around the whole team!
Houghton problem is that he is attached to his "team". They are the ones doing the training at Colney. It may be time for DM to ditch them and bring in new blood to work with CH.
I for one caught several Lisbon games towards the end of last season, and he was an absolute class act, well and truly living up to the highlights videos. To go through our squad and highlight players as Good enough, Borderline and Needs Replacing GK: Ruddy, Bunn, Nash FB: Olsson, Whittaker, Garrido, Martin CB: Turner, Bennett, Bassong WM: Snodgrass, Bennett, Redmond, Pilkington CM: Fer, Howson, Tettey, Johnson, Hoolahan ST: RvW, Hooper, Elmander, Becchio Unless I'm missing some players, I make that 22+Redmond in a 25 man squad, giving us room for three new players without selling anyone, assuming none of those loaned out ever come back into contention (Ayala possibly the exception) So to prioritise where I think we need new players: CM - Down to the bare bones injury-wise, and missing a creative spark. In January we're only ever going to sign a couple of players, so probably one in this position and another in the summer. Someone like Fer would be ideal, so in a 3-man midfield the new man and Fer can alternate sitting whilst the other and Howson get forwards. That or someone to act like a support striker and drop Howson and Fer slightly deeper. Joe Ledley fits the first description, and Toivonen the second to me. Ledley's possibly available on a free in the summer, so might be dirt cheap, but Toivonen's price seems to be as low as it's likely to get. WM: Redmond and Snodgrass both look best on the right, so I would want to force them into competition for one spot by bringing in a left sided winger to rival Pilks (and replace/cover him when he's inevitably injured). Like the idea of Diego Capel, but fear he'd be too expensive. Hopefully a new signing in this position would bring improvements on both wings. RB: I was torn between RB and CB as the last spot to fill, but feel Bassong can only get better, and Bennett needs more game time anyway. I'd rather bring in a quality RB as I've no faith in Whittaker or Martin in that position right now, and Martin can be the 4th CB option.
I have to say I really don't think Olsson is in the good enough category, I'd have him as borderline for three reasons as he is frequently out of position, is unable to support the left midfielder well enough by not making the right movement (either offering good outlets or pulling defenders out of position when he does come forward- and his first touch/quickness of pass is often poor. He seems quite inconsistent
Don't get any of this hate for Snodgrass at all, he has been our best winger this season by a country mile. And why is it fair for everybody to say RVW is easily good enough for the PL and we should build the team around us when IMO he has been less impressive than either Hooper/Elmander by some distance.
