I don’t think he did underperform, they went mental in Jan with signings which seemed incredibly stupid when the top 4 were so far clear. Sure he maybe should’ve got them into the playoffs but I think they were reasonably far behind them as well so to spunk a load of money in Jan when it was a tough ask to finish in the top 6 (and then have to beat at least one of the teams who finished 3rd and 4th who were miles clear to get promoted) feels a bit harsh to have got him the sack. Strasbourg are Chelsea B so they have a load of the youngsters Chelsea are hoovering up, so whilst young are very talented especially in a weaker league like Ligue 1. I wouldn’t be against him as manager at all, but I do think we will encounter the exact same problem with playing style if we do come straight back to the PL
Hopefully Rusk will instil some fight and some pride at least. Wasn't gonna go again this season but just bought Fulham tickets of the back of that.
Fair point. I hopefully don’t do abusive comments at or about someone so whilst wishing them well for obvious reasons, I do have a little sympathy for Ivan Juric and I know that is not popular! But I can’t get out of my head the feeling that I’m not sure anyone would have fared so much better. The squad we had with one or two exceptions simply failed to reach any consistency or resistance to the demands of the PL. They simply did not have the skill or will required. I fully agree that his selections baffled me at times but something was definitely not right in that squad, apart the reasons already stated, by the time he arrived and it was in fact a poisoned chalice. I hope he finds a more suitable role and like many before him at Saints will recognise what a great bunch of supporters the Club has. It’s best now that the page has turned, we all move on and continue to sing OUR song as we will!! Best wishes to Simon and Adam!!
I just can’t believe that 2 wins in 16 is all this team can do. One of the dinosaurs, Pulis allardyce, Dyche etc would have stunk the place out and ground out a few draws, smash and grab wins etc.
I agree, he was walking into an impossible job, which seemed strange to bring someone in on an 18 month contract, but I guess had the relegation clause in it. We will never know the ins and outs, but maybe some of his bizarre selections were driven by desperation in trying to get a performance out of the players. I have no gripe with him, it kind of went how I expected
Well we are relegated, thank goodness, it's the hope that kills! Now those lazy feckless players that want away need to prove to the cattle market that are worth a punt on, that's you Ketchup and the rest!
I’m pretty confident in saying he inherited a broken squad with a number of players who weren’t/wouldn’t play for him. Probably could have done a bit better with a unified dressing room but showed enough to convince me that he was basically another **** manager in a string of **** managers.
“Morning gaffer, I was thinking. You know that big hole we have in the middle of the pitch when you play Will and Joe there? Maybe someone who’s actually a decent DM could step in, maybe… me?” “How dare you! I have not yet exhausted all the possible square pegs to fit into that round hole yet, don’t try and tell me how to do my job, I was manager of Genoa on 3 separate occasions.”
Sounds odd. Feels like trying to make the person still at the club look good rather than what actually happened.
