The sort of post I love on these forums. Great insight from a source I'd never otherwise know about. Thanks
OK, I'm underwhelmed because: A) He's pretty much completely unknown in the UK. I know we shouldn't judge by how big someone's reputation is but IMO the board could have appointed an AVB, a Pellegrini and sent out a message. By appointing Puel, I fear that other clubs will see us as an easy target for players again next summer. B) Not convinced by his record in France. He may well suit our style and he may well like to bring in youngsters but first and foremost he needs to get results. C) The "gambles" by the board have been steadily accumulating. I have simply reached my limit of gambles. This one tipped me over the edge because Pellegrini was seemingly close to getting the job. P.S. LTL, you are one of the few who hasn't been patronising or condescending when replying to me. That's how it escalated last night - I grew more and more frustrated and my posts reflected that.
This is why things got so heated last night - with patronising and condescending posts like that. And it's very annoying.
I think you make fair points when put like that Tom, and they probably cover the main reasons why everybody has some level of harboured doubt or concern - but that's just change for you. Every change is a risk at some level. AVB would have been a risk. So would Pellegrini. Okay, Puel feels like *more* of a risk, but it's the assertion that basically "this is a **** appointment" which is a million miles away from what any of us really know. There's no telling what's ahead, but looking at the posts from the likes of Gucci above, you can see why this particular risk has been taken. Hell, he could easily become the hottest property in management in a year's time (see Poch for details) or he could be a damp squib. Could go either way. I think the balance of probability, plus the fact we have a set-up that makes managers look good, means the former is more likely. Tell you what, I'd be willing to bet that by the end of the season Puel is looking good whilst Koeman is getting found out.
Okay, this from Mark Rodden who is French football expert for ESPN - Always wary of French managers abroad+tough time to take over IMO. But experienced and Nice played great football last year. Will fit in with club ethos easy enough I'd imagine. 4th twice in four years with Nice is pretty good going. Sorry to sit on the fence a little bit! He'll do better than Remi Garde
And it would be quite an achievement for Puel to single-handedly get us relegated. Touch wood. He may be a great success, he may be adequate, he may not fit in the EPL, but we have to wait and see. In the worst case scenario, we will have a poor season....Saints will not disappear from the face of the Earth.
Tell you what, I'd be willing to bet that by the end of the season Puel is looking good whilst Koeman is getting found out. ============================================= If there's any justice in the world, make it so. Wouldn't even begrudge Poch winning something if it pans out like that.
Sounds good to me. Clever appointments is historically what we do. My *only* concern, as has been mentioned by HistoryRepeating is that I don't want someone being forced by the philosophy to use the academy players if they're not up to scratch. That would be a poor move imho.
