I’m with prehab regarding “flexing” the model to allow more experienced players. But I do also have a lot of respect for Speakman in how single minded on it he seems. It’s impressive to be so confident. Whilst it’s working I’m happy to give him the free rein. And even if I wasn’t happy, it’s my club doing this so I’m going to support it
A sporting director who has changed the whole direction in whcih the club is going tho Bob Lets wait to see if the decision to sack TM js right or not before having a go at the model We know you hate the model and at every opportunity will have a go at it. I get the model can be frustrating at times but its a model that has got us playing the football we played last yr and got us all a bit disappointed that we are only 3 points off the playoffs in our 2nd season back in the championship
I agree but social media presence and influence now is just as impactful on the club as the match going crowd. It’s sadly as much of the fanbase as those that go to the games.
People often dismiss social media as an irrelevance but it plays a massive role in society now and is huge in opinion forming (and spreading) on any and every subject.
Thats the only tweak i would make, its not about signing the likes of Dack its more about signing more like ballard n clarke (hard i know as those 2 are quality). Young british players with a bit of experience to compliment the exciting young foreign lads
I don’t understand how it’s critics manage to disassociate everything positive at the club from the model but then blame it for everything bad. ‘Mowbray was the greatest and the model has done for him’. Ignoring that he was appointed under ‘the model’ and the players he had at his disposal were all signed under it too. Etc etc
Regarding the sacking and what the target for rest of season should be. I don’t think it changes. I think Speakman and KlD have looked at situation and decided a change in manager won’t change our chances of going up this season, but will hopefully make us more likely next season. As the new manager will be more bought in to the approach and will have had half a year to get to know the club and team. If Mowbray wasn’t the long term answer, then he should only be kept if he can provide short term brilliance. But he wasn’t any more. So it makes sense. Many will disagree with that but I completely get their logic and I applaud the single minded determination.
Yep that annoys me as well As soon as things go wrong its the models fault but when things are good its all about TM or the players - not the model that brought them in Everyone wants instant success in football these days but with this model we wont truly see the success of it for a while
thats exactly what I’ve said in the past he got the praise when it was going well for him then as soon as he hit a slump and ran out of ideas it’s all speakmans fault for not giving him what he wants. Personally think Mobray has played a blinder and so many people have fallen for his excuses.
I would have brought in an experienced defensive midfielder in the Corey Evans (but better) mould. Even if not as a starter, for somebody to come on and steady things. Hopefully we will.
I’m intrigued to see how the young signings from the continent fare under a new coach before concluding that they’re ineffectual compared to their British counterparts. Mowbray banged that drum so much (to the point it seems to now be taken as read by our fans) that it was clear he didn’t see the overseas lads as being as capable as those with experience in this country. It remains to be seen as to whether he is bang on or whether he puts too much stock in being ‘championship ready’. He considered Burstow championship ready enough, based on being a British lad with UK academy and league 1 experience, to throw him straight in and give him a run of games but Rusyn had to wait. Yet Rusyn has looked far more effective since he’s come in. I don’t know, maybe that vindicates Mowbray and managing Rusyn in is why he’s looked ready. Equally Aouchiche has over 70 games in Ligue 1. Even the most Anglo-centric of managers (or fans) surely must recognise Ligue 1 as a robust, quality league and Aouchiche has always looked incredibly accomplished when he’s got game time but has had his game time limited due to Dack and Bellingham (who I also rate hugely) largely based on them being British lads with Championship experience. As I say, maybe Mowbray and the majority of our fans will be proven correct if the new coach comes in and starts playing Seelt, Aouchiche, Rusyn, Hemir etc and we sink without a trace. However I think the right appointment could lead to a lot of our fans reappraising our recruitment (particularly from abroad) over time.
Is that not part of the issue? Expectations rose after such a great season last year and now reality is setting in a little?
That’s not why we sacked Mowbray like, it’s obvious you don’t like the bloke but we sacked Mowbray because of recent performances, downward trajectory and questionable tactics. It’s early enough to get back on track with some fresh ideas. Is it a risk? Of course, a massive one. But it’s one worth taking and actually shows the club have higher expectations this season than mid table stability. I absolutely loved Mowbray but looking at the bigger picture it makes sense.
don’t care where they come from if they’re the right player. I do think an English speaker would be important tho for the senior roles
https://x.com/capt_fishpaste/status/1733052980528607302?s=46&t=bFwez-5oi7CdxUG56_1QKg An interesting read
