We have had so many managerial changes, I’m not sure when it happened, but my head tells me it was during Harry’s period. Not sure how well it was received at the time, but it had a very positive effect on the team at the time with a string of good results. I did see somewhere that Sol Campbell had been doing some coaching at the club (to help,with us badges I think); but getting more experienced coaches in would be so beneficial. With many good coaches/unemployed managers I have always thought that there was opportunities for them to use their skills on the training ground - working on 3 or 4-month contracts; moving around to develop players, helping management teams to think in different ways maybe. Often tenures of managers wane through repetition and you can imagine players getting bored with a lack of variety - this would change that. More importantly our players would learn so much.
I think you're probably right about Bidwell being captain next year, Nines. I thought he was excellent yesterday in an unfamiliar CB role and was my MOM. As you say, it was an enjoyable game and a good win, although Birmingham were surprisingly poor considering they are not yet safe from relegation. The way that so many young players are becoming established in the side makes me very optimistic about next season. - Lumley, Kakay, Furlong, Manning, Eze, Chair and Bright-Samuel all looked good yesterday. Bring on 2018-19! please log in to view this image
I thought after reading something that TF tweeted recently that we may see Hollow step down. He said it will upset some. I then read an article of him saying we are always looking out for managers. However, I now think it may be losing a few players to FFP
More likely the latter. Don’t expect to see Luongo here in August especially if he does a passable impression of a footballer in Russia.
Crikey, my head hurts this morning. Anyway, two of R's make the 'Who Scored' championship team of the week ... please log in to view this image
It is a great idea. The effect of “fresh eyes” may not only notice the unseen “spider’s webs” but will certainly bring in new ideas. The concept is often in professional tennis.
About 3-6 idgits got on pitch no more...not enough to worry anyone. They were quickly dealt with The team went round after match.... and about 10 minutes later the whole team and families were led out by Ned and his wife and kids. Smithies and his new born baby....and Mackie and his three kids were there too. They were interviewed on the pitch Departing Ian Taylor the media guy was there too. The team went round....and the Ned went round as did Mackie and we sung to them both.....and when I left the players kids were still playing tag on the field. It was all lovely and got to say quite emotional.. Why didn't you come Ted.....it was a party
What a surprise: a lovely and entertaining end to the season! We played some really good football at times, with clever creative passing and excellent performances from a number of our players. For me, Chair and Freeman were outstanding, real class. Having given Freeman so many of my MOTM awards this season, I give this MOTM award to Chair. He looked so confident and he worked hard, passed well and showed he could beat a player. Freeman skinned their right back on a couple of occasions when he had no right to do so, creating one of the goals in so doing. Brilliant. I will cry if we lose him over the Summer, especially having just renewed my season ticket. Other notable performances came from our makeshift CB pairing who both did really well, particularly the improving Bidwell. BOS perhaps played the best game I have seen him play for us: quick, clever and dangerous. Eze, too, looks a real find. Lovely skills, great passing and an eye for goal. Please, God, we sign him on a long-term contract. Lumley inspired much more confidence than Ingram and made a couple of top drawer saves, including one where he got down quickly to his left to stop a rocket. The only disappointment, perhaps was Sylla. He hardly won a header all afternoon, albeit against what seemed like giant opponents and he did manage a few "chest downs" to team mates. I've seen him do some good stuff this season but he's been given a bit more time in recent games and he's failed to grow into the position. At least he's still been in the running: Washington hasn't even been on the bench in recent games, which must say a lot about his future at Loftus Road. Fortunately, with Smith on the bench, we were able to resist our one-dimensional "lob it up to the big guy" approach and generally played a measured passing game which was easy on the eye the further we got forward. All in all, it was a very enjoyable and positive afternoon. Great to end the season on a high: well done Ollie and the lads.
I wouldn't put anything past TF. It would be entirely consistent for him to undo any progress that has been made by jumping in now to make another inspired choice that we need some fresh thinking at the top. Players leaving due to FFP I'm not unduly worried about. First time around for the first few years, Holloway decided who to buy and brought in the likes of Ainsworth, ****tu, Rowlands, Furlong, Gallen (back) and Cook. I can't blame him for the dross that came in when Paladini ousted the administration directors and decided to run the club as a sideline of his fabulous first career as a football agent. Although he can't take the credit for most of the current crop of talent, Olly does have a good eye and I believe he will bring in worthy replacements who are ones for the future. Necessity is undoubtedly part of the reason for it but, once again, we have a manager willing to give youth a chance. Just ask yourselves whether in the same circumstances, Redknapp, and Hughes would know where to even begin looking. I wonder whether he thinks that Shodipo has now learned his trade as he was the one shining talent unearthed by Hasselbaink? I hope so as he was an exciting payer who brought a bit of excitement to a very drab, efficient and clinical style of play where we would be happy to have walked away with an inspired 0-0 draw having sucked the like out of the game and the opponents.
The other thing that struck me yesterday was the greater sense of togetherness that I saw out on the pitch I really hope that we can keep the nucleus of the team together over the summer I'm less interested in promotion than I am being entertained, and I certainly had that yesterday
We are making progress and I hope it continues next season. Ollie may sometimes frustrate, but we are moving forward and in the correct entertaining, and sustainable style.
The Birmingham fans were quite unpleasant. They seemed to have a particular dislike for Freeman - I'm not sure why.
Birmingham always seem to have had a lot of unpleasant fans I couldn't believe the number of items they threw onto the pitch - a number of bottles, cigarette lighter and loads of coins
I remember a few seasons back we beat them and had a beer in the Crown after. We got talking to 4 of their fans (harmless) and all they kept going on about was the reputation of their fans and how they cause trouble. It got boring after about 20 times. Maybe tEd would have liked it but I thought they actually got excited about it. Anyway they have a tough game against Foolham next week.