Slow start whilst he got to know his players, but now we are showing the fruits of his labours, i am very confident the season will end up just fine for us
Nice to see you have come and joined us Miff, I agree he is doing a good job, I will be mighty disappointed if he has pushed Ash out the door but we will see, in Pearson we trust.
Promotion next year I reckon, the new players will be gelled and the deadwood/bad eggs shifted out. If we can scrape the play-offs this year I'd be delighted but the salvage job at the start of the season cost us a bit of ground. Look back at August and compare where we are now, and there is a gigantic difference, the new management deserve all the credit.
Big thumbs up for NP,CS and in my eyes Steve Walsh especially.The blokes not far from being a fooking miracle worker.
Agree that he's doing a great job. Very methodically putting "his" team together and not allowing sentiment to stand in his way. We all love Ash, a true Tiger Legend, but his career is drawing to an end and CMF is a weak area for us. I like his young signings and loan additions, and if he can get the likes of Gerrard, Stewart, Evans, and Mannone or Guzan on permanents, and Belaid proves to be as good as his videos, then we have the basis of a squad that can compete in the Prem, with Rosenior, Chester,Fryatt and possibly Simpson and McLean. Well done Nigel.
Agree with all the above 2011/12 will be a better season. We've still got few more downs to deal with before the up's become more common than the downs! UTT
They're clearing the decks, bringing in a competitive team on budget and building for the future. What more could you ask for?
There were more than a few who were unsure earlier in the season. Looks like all the doubters have calmed down a bit. Time to remove the deadwood and start building for next season hopefully with a squad of players we own. Now that the threat of relegation is no longer there lets hope we start playing some open expansive football with the ball hitting the back of the opposition net more often.
I think he's doing okay but It looks like he's allowed Bullard to leave because he brought Harper in and is going to use him no matter what, If he allows Ashbee to go it will be another blow, Yes we have Evans now but he hasn't much experience.
I was slow to shout NP's praises maimly because I saw little or no action and felt despondent that he continued to persevere with poor team selections and formats. I did state at one point I believed his hands were tied by the lack of funds and Russell Bartletts effect on proceedings. Now the shackles are off under the Allams with or without bundles of instant cash ,he is slowly clearing the overpaid and the deadwood .There are still 3 or 4 that need to be shifted ASAP and I would like to see more permanents as against loanees but hey Rome wasn't built in a day.
I've always preferred the way NP handled the squad - minimal naughty step stuff & supports his players, while gradually improving the squad, and getting rid of the trouble makers. One thing I'm worried about though.... with the deep squad we have, we should be having a go at the opposition rather than sitting back so deep & hoofing the ball so often. After we scored at Reading there was a brief period where we held onto the ball and "made the ball do the work" until something opened up & the chances flowed. Then we went right back to hoof ball. The play of Ash & Harper in mid-field reminds me of that great spell after we were first promoted to the Prem when Ash & Marney got in every opponents faces from kick-off. Not pretty, but very effective. This may be why NP has stayed with these two in CMF, as they have been very instrumental in our good run. NP's doing a great job so far. But I have one message for him... take your foot off the brake a bit more & let these lads play. No need to play scared with this squad.
So where next for old flat top ? The mess sorry train wreck that is Wolverhamtpon W. need his tender loving touch now.
