Thank you......and you are right in what you've heard. Many believe that the Warnock/Blackwell/Jepson triumvirate has run its' course. Pretty par for the course after such an abject performance as that load of **** yesterday, and it will gather more pace if it is repeated on Wednesday. Of course if we do win Wednesday night, then it'll all go away again - such is life.
AR - I think we missed the boat when we came back down last year. Warnock took us up and we'll be eternally grateful for that season and what he's done for the club, but some of the tactical and selection decisions last year were baffling. Some bold decisions were put off by the club. The problem is we now have a squad of "Warnock" players that someone else with a different approach will want to decimate. A lot over here would like to see our game mixed up a bit - we are far too predictable. I don't think we've got much option but to stick with what we've got for now and see how it pans out. If it doesn't come off by Christmas then I think Warnock will walk himself. We'll get someone new in with the Jan transfer window in front of them to make some fundamental changes and go again next season. Of course if we are in a strong position by then and go on under Warnock to go up, then all us doubters will need to look in the mirror.
OS - Colin got you up once, so surely he's the man to do it again? He has a proven track record at this level
If Colin had kept us up last year he'd have gone, with nothing left to prove. Rumour has it Tan, Choo and Dalman twisted his arm for one more season as it was. Colin has said this eason is his last in management. No doubt he's been good for the club, sorting a number of festering issues and providing some sadly lacking footballing nous. He is very set in his ways, and understandably given his track record for promotions. Can he do it again? Not sure given some of his signings. If a manager can turn a poor start around its Warnock. He's said himself he could go at Christmas if we're not in the hunt. I'm with sparkey. Given our squad, we'll either need a manager in Colin's image (though probably a second rate colin) or we'll get a more forward thinking manager that will need a full overhaul of the squad. Will Tan sanction that in January, probably not. Not enough time to get the job done. If we're not top 8 at Christmas it will be a case of looking to stay mid table until the summer and then changing course. However, I wouldn't bet against Colin having us top 6 come the end of the year. We might not be, but I wouldn't bet against it.
To an extent yes - particularly with the way he's structured the squad this season. The doubt is creeping in because of his single mindedness he seems to display over tactics and team selections. That was evident last season when he spent £21M on Reid and Murphy and then hardly played them because they didn't "fit" - why the hell buy them in the first place? Even with the "power" squad he's assembled this season, there is more than one way to tackle the opposition. We often pay far too much respect to ball playing teams and sit back allowing them the ball waiting for a break. It often works and to be honest I think we'll win more games than we lose this season - but that might not be enough.
I must admit I’m always humbled by the singing of the Welsh fans. Just about to watch Cardiff vs Fulham and the rendition of ‘Men of Harlech’ (what Sky allowed to be heard) was like a proper choir singing. Hats off to them.
I had wondered where some of the Cardiff banter had gone, and it turns out I'd forgotten I had OS on block from some time ago (awkward.. and revoked now) , so hadn't seen this topic! It is nice to actually have a bit of a rival back in the same division as us I must admit!
??'s after last nights performance. What type of towel do Cardiff use to wipe the ball before long throw ins? Do the players wipe the ball from the top down? Bottom up? Or just in circular motions? Is it necessary to wipe ball in summer? How long should the ball be wiped for?
I think we jave specially commissioned chamois cloths. Very good for removing surface water. Just apply flat with a touch of pressure. They should use the tack that tug of war teams use or the spray rugby players use. Gets a good grip even in the wet.
A specialist long thrower is something we’ve not had since Magnusson left. It really does give you an extra option and can turn a throw-in into a free kick.
Even with Gunnar now gone, we've got 3 - Morrison, Paterson and especially Vaulks who has a monster throwing range. The problem with that is that you can start relying on it as the norm rather than a useful option. Telegraphing the ploy to the opposition by wiping the ball with a towel and getting all the big guys up from the back is like sending them a text. Far better to use it sparingly and vary the delivery by throwing the ball to a close player on occasions to draw defenders out from their set positions. The long throw can be difficult for defenders to deal with but they know ecactly what to expect. Surprising teams with the unexpected often gets a result, not advertising what you're going to do.